Honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Dorit Beinish,
Honorable Retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Prize Committee, Gabriel Bach,
Members of the Prize Committee,
Ms. Rena Moscona – daughter of the initiator of these prizes, Albert Moscona, and his representative here this evening,
Dear Winners,

I thank the prize committee, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Bach, and the EMET Fund for their incredible work in promoting art, science and culture.

From here – the capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people – from Jerusalem, I wish to thank a special man whose annual contribution allows us to gather here every year to award the EMET Prizes – Mr. Alberto Moscona, tonight represented by his daughter, Ms. Rena Moscona.  Please convey our gratitude and appreciation to your father for his impressive and inspiring enterprise – the EMET Prizes.

The word “prize” – especially in the public culture currently practiced in our country – is associated with winning a one-time-only event: the “A Star is Born” competition, a rising star, a light-footed dancer or a velvet-voiced singer.  That is why, I believe, it misses Mr. Moscona’s point in initiating this enterprise – which is the importance of the encouragement we are providing such an impressive list of personalities, who we recognize because of their contribution to our society and humanity as a whole.

I am not, G-d forbid, disparaging all the other prizes which are awarded in our country.  At times, the parade of candidates is a spectacle of fireworks, spotlights illuminating with a blinding light, the call of the trumpets – a crude sound and light show which leaves an indelible impression on all our senses.

The parade on this evening wins in the ratings of history, not of hysteria.  This is its strength and its value.

The award winners are a diverse representation of the highest quality – multi-faceted and of many talents – of Israeli society.  They represent the excellence found in the enduring fight against mediocrity, over-excitability, emptiness and shallowness, which constantly threaten the atmosphere in which we live here in Israel.

The Government, which I have the honor of heading, must define other rules – ones which will provide us with a chance for excellence and quality – and which the EMET Prize winners represent for all of us.

In any event, the importance of this prize is less the considerable contribution provided to the winners themselves for what they have designed and created, and more that it serves as a reminder of what could disappear from the landscape of our lives if we as a society do not create more opportunities to discover those among us who will ensure the quality of our lives and our culture.

That is why I would especially like to thank Albert Moscona for his initiative, and for the excellence and quality of those we honor this evening.

Good luck!