The Honorable Minister of Defense,
Head of the General Staff,
Inspector-General of the Israel Police,
President of the University of Haifa,
Academic Adviser for National Security at the National Security College,
Heads of the Security Systems,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Graduates,
In this impressive place, the amphitheater at Mount Scopus, the cornerstone of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was laid publicly 77 years ago, in the presence of Lord Balfour and the President of the Zionist Federation, Chaim Weizmann. It was an act of great vision, at a time when the number of Jews in the Land of Israel totaled less than 100,000.
The vista of Jerusalem and the Judean Desert, which the participants of that revered ceremony, saw was barren and arid. Today Jerusalem is light years from that which was seen by those who laid the cornerstone. It symbolizes the realization of the Zionist vision, because of which we are here today.
Graduates of the 34th Class of the National Security College, today you leave from the unique house of learning in which you studied and acquired knowledge, ability and broad mindedness towards a range of positions which await you at the senior levels of the IDF, the security services and other Government offices. You know and understand very well that national security is an extremely complex concept, which is based on a broad range of foundations, among which military strength is only one central component. No less important are the State’s economic strength, its social cohesiveness, its international standing and the unity of national purpose which outlines its path.
Among the elements which compose the basis of our national strength, beyond its military strength, I wish to emphasize the importance and role of the judicial system. In my opinion, this system today is a central component in our national strength. First and foremost, this is due to the intensive and vital involvement of the judicial system regarding matters of security. In the expanding arena of international law, our judicial system has become the “flak jacket” of the State of Israel. That same flak jacket grants us, at the diplomatic level and members of the military, the moral, conscientious and legal security to take various steps in the framework imposed on us to lead the citizens of Israel.
It also grants every citizen in the country a stable basis for living in a democratic framework, protects them from injustice and corruption of the public and governmental mechanisms, and also provides a solid foundation for justice and equality among citizens.
The credit for these accomplishments must be given to the judicial system, and primarily to the engine which leads it – the Supreme Court. I am proud of our Supreme Court, headed by the Honorable President Dorit Beinish, and as part of my role as Prime Minister, I attribute great importance to protecting its independence and its ability to continue serving as the fortress of democracy and its protector.
With the expansion of the sphere of influence of the Court and judicial system into all aspects of our lives, and the transformation of governmental judicial officials into central actors in the public arena, it was predictable that they too would face criticism. In my opinion, this criticism can take place, with two conditions: that it is agreed upon ahead of time that the rule of law is supreme in all cases, and the rulings and decisions of the court must be implemented.
Within the courts and among various instances, there are sometimes fierce arguments as a matter of routine. The decisions of the lower instances are overturned, verdicts change, perceptions change and are renewed. This is an inseparable part of a dynamic and vibrant system. Even an argument between the system and outside factors can be vibrant, and sometimes even passionate, as we are dealing with matters which are definitive and mold the way of life of an entire nation.
Unfortunately, the headlines in the media regarding the judicial system, today deal primarily with the personal level between senior officials in the judicial system and sometimes with esoteric topics which have no connection to the quality of service which the citizens receive. Strengthening the position and image of the judicial system will not be achieved through fighting the media or any one headline. Public trust depends on the ability of the judicial system to provide quick, efficient, reliable and effective service to all who pass through its gates. Therefore, with the cooperation of the Minister of Justice, Prof. Daniel Freedman, I have decided to add 85 more openings for judges in the judicial system in 2008. This is a systemic upgrade for the courts, in an impressive and significant scope
Distinguished guests, dear graduates,
The events of the past year – the Second Lebanon War and the war against terror which has been conducted for a number of years – put the Israeli home front and its social strength to an unprecedented test.
The State’s obligation to protect its citizens is not in doubt. Meeting their needs, providing answers in emergency situations, fixing shelters and providing life-saving services – these are an inseparable part of the basic role of every government. We will draw conclusions from the weakness we discovered and from the failures we experienced. However, at the exact same time, it should be said to the entire public, honestly, straightforwardly and without hesitation: the inevitable choice we face is to define national priorities and determine balanced measures. We cannot invest all our resources in shielding our homes, educational institutions and workplaces. We are a fighting nation which faces many enemies who are seeking to get a rise out of us in order to undermine the foundations of our existence. First and foremost – we will do everything to keep up our fighting force, one which is decisive and winning, which is equipped with the newest fighting equipment, and with their strength and the force of the bravery and sacrifice of our fighters so they can subdue our enemies in the field of battle. This is our supreme mission, in which we will invest our best resources ahead of any other task. This week, the Government of Israel resolved to provide the security system with a long-term and unprecedented budgetary infrastructure which it has never had. Security budgets will increase by NIS 100 billion over the next ten years, not in order to hoard, but in order to build up a bold, innovative and winning deterrent force.
We will know how to defend the home front. We will stop the complaints, put an end to the demands which have no end; we will show restraint and patience and primarily we will remember that every citizen in his home must be a partner to this effort to defend himself and his family – and that he cannot place full responsibility solely on the governmental and public mechanism.
I believe with all my heart that next summer and the autumn after it will not be too hot. We cannot exaggerate by creating an atmosphere of the eve of war. Our neighbors know very well that we prefer to sit with them and discuss peace, rather than prove our great strength to them. In the North and the East live millions of people who want tranquility, quality of life and quiet – just as we do. We yearn to share our hopes with them and the opportunity that such a life can provide for us all.
My friends, graduates of the College,
The IDF and the public and governmental authorities of the State of Israel await you. I am certain that, as graduates of the National Security College, your contribution to the systems into which you will be integrated and the senior roles you will fill will be enormous and of high quality. In any position of influence you hold, the great knowledge you acquired between the walls of the National Security College will find expression. This is the time to express appreciation and gratitude to the commander of the College, to the staff of teachers and counselors, to the academic staff and to all those from whom you learned in this unforgettable year in which you gained wisdom and experience.
Please accept the congratulations of the Government of Israel and my personal best wishes as you move on. Go forth and succeed!