Good evening everyone,

It’s a bit difficult to be happy today.  As you all must know, there was a terrible collision between a train and truck in the South, near Kibbutz Revadim.  There are numerous people injured and several were killed.  On your behalf, I would like to convey our condolences to the families of the victims, and a speedy recovery to the injured.

We, who face so many struggles, can also be seriously injured, unfortunately, from time to time, in incidents such as occurred this evening.

I thank you for your invitation to attend this evening. I attribute great importance to the field of tourism in Israel.  It was important to me to be with you in difficult times for tourism, it is important to me to be here with you today during happier times.  Four years ago, I attended your conference.  The tourism field was, at the time, at the nadir of a deep crisis.   Before coming, I met with the national task force, whose head Miki Federman was chosen by the Minister of Tourism, and whose mission is to increase the number of tourists entering Israel.  One could feel the great change in atmosphere between then and now.  If, at that time we discussed minimizing losses, today we speak of growth and expansion, and great plans for the future.

Last year, we saw a significant recovery in tourism, when the number of tourists reached 1.5 million, nearly double that of 2002.  This year, we expect that the number of tourists entering Israel will reach 2 million.  I was also pleased to hear that by your estimation, over the last two years, approximately 40 thousand new jobs were added to the tourism industry, thus doubling the number of people employed in this field.

Approximately 4 years ago, the conference was held in Tel Aviv.  This year, we are gathered in the most appropriate place for a conference dealing with tourism in Israel – in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.  My Government views the promotion and development of Jerusalem as a primary national goal.  Approximately three weeks ago, the Government held a special meeting regarding the strengthening of the city of Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, forever united.  At that meeting, a combined plan offering assistance to the city in the sum of NIS 280 million was approved.  The Government also decided to implement a project, in the framework of which all schoolchildren in Israel will visit Jerusalem at least three times during their studies as well as a parallel program for soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces.

At the same time, the Government is making large investments in the transportation infrastructure of Jerusalem – by establishing two train lines to the city, and by building the light rail.  All these steps will greatly advance tourism in Jerusalem, a city which has all the components to be a magnet for millions of tourists worldwide.

You all know that the huge improvement in tourism in Israel stems, first and foremost, from the improvement in our political and security situations.  Our determined stand against terror, and the initiative to withdraw from Gaza, drastically changed the atmosphere in our region.  Leaving Gaza will continue to improve the political climate, thus also helping the tourism industry, as well as other sectors of the economy.  Today, we are already feeling the benefits of the Plan, as the Israeli economy has succeeded in reaching high growth rates, and unemployment rates are decreasing.

I arrived here after my meeting with Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. 

I clearly expressed to the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority our great concern regarding the security situation.  We see many good intentions on the part of the Palestinian Authority, however, unfortunately, at the same time, there is no concrete preventative action.

We have the desire to move forward together with the Palestinians, via the Roadmap, and to attain actual security and tranquility in our region, but such political advancement will not be implemented without real cessation of terror. 

During the meeting we agreed upon full coordination of our departure from the Gaza Strip.  Coordination of our departure from Gaza will assure a quiet withdrawal, a move which is the best for both sides.  Nevertheless, we will not allow a situation in which the Disengagement will take place under fire.

We will not stop the Disengagement – we will stop the terror.

I believe we can look forward with optimism.

Four years ago, I told you that, with determination, we would be able to overcome terror and violence, restore security to the citizens of Israel, and strive for genuine peace.  Today, thanks to the tenacity of the people of Israel, we are much closer to achieving these goals.  I am determined to continue leading the State of Israel on its difficult path toward realizing this vision.  I am sure that with the help of G-d, we will thus also succeed.

Thank you and I wish you much success.