The Honorable President of the State, Mr. Shimon Peres,
The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak and Mrs. Barak,
The Honorable Minister of Tourism, Responsible for the Events Celebrating Israel’s 60th Anniversary, Ms. Ruhama Avraham-Balila,
The Honorable Mayor of Rishon Le’Zion, Mr. Meir Nitzan and Mrs. Naomi Nitzan,
The Honorable Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi,
Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Raanan Dinur,
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Pinhas Buchris,
Heads of the Security Industries,
Officers, Soldiers, Commanders, Citizens,

Good evening to you all.

With a feeling of national pride and gratitude, I congratulate you on the opening of the exhibition held in the framework of the events celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary, which allows the broader public to see the finest achievements of the security industries of the State of Israel.  This exhibition is an exceptional opportunity for all the citizens of Israel to see first-hand, discover and feel the force of their country; of the mighty industrial, economic and security institution which grants it strength; and the fruits of Israeli genius which have become well-known around the world.

I wish to express my great appreciation to the Minister of Tourism, who is responsible for the events celebrating our 60th anniversary, for the security system, the Mayor of Rishon Le’Zion – Meir, I know it is dangerous as we are on the eve of elections, but I am certain that you will serve as mayor for many more years to come – for the organizers of this exhibition, for the industries participating in it and to all those visiting and those still to visit.

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” as the saying goes, and indeed, for a significant portion of the history of the Jewish people, we did not wield the sword and our security was dependent on the arbitrariness of strangers.  The objection to and offense taken at the Zionist effort to build a national home and refuge for the people of Israel in the Land of Israel is what ultimately forced the Jewish population here to defend itself and establish – out of nothing – a security industry which would protect its existence and destiny.

The opening of the exhibition, which exposes the glory and magnificence of Israeli security production, is occurring at the proper and appropriate time to express respect and admiration for the pioneers of the military industry, those who laid the foundation while in the underground during the years of the “State to come”, upon which our highly praised security industries were built and developed.

This event is honored by the presence of the President of the State, Shimon Peres, who as a young man during the War of Independence filled an important role in the effort to make essential military purchases, and who later – as Director General of the Ministry of Defense and Deputy Minister of Defense under David Ben-Gurion – worked energetically and with great drive to develop the security industries and on strategic security projects whose value to the security of Israel even today is priceless.  Thank you Mr. President.

There is no doubt: the security industries are one of the greatest and most magnificent creations of the State of Israel.  Since being established in the early years of the country, they have grown and expanded and became more sophisticated on a steep and impressive trajectory.  They were established to answer Israel’s defense and security needs under conditions of embargo, boycott and isolation, but developed into a nationally strategic infrastructure which rests on Israel’s precious and excellent human capital.  They are currently placed at the forefront of global technology.

The path was not always strewn with roses.  Security research, development and production have suffered difficult periods in the past, and have been subjected to budgetary distress, crises and limiting constraints.  The difficulties have not disappeared and are not lacking today as well.  However, it is exactly against this background that the amazing success of the security industries is magnified sevenfold.  This industry has been characterized by its ability to adapt and adjust itself to the changing needs and challenges over the years.  Exceptional management talent, vision and imagination, invention, flexibility, originality and creativity are the secret of its success.

Today, the security industries are a stable pillar and essential component in the State of Israel’s economy.  These industries operate in a complex world with a dynamic global economy and limited domestic resources, while at the same time dealing with external constraints and pressures resulting from political and security considerations.

Under these difficult competitive conditions, the only way to survive is through uncompromising excellence, flexibility and standing at the forefront of technological advancement.  The technological might currently demonstrated by our security industries allows them to successfully compete in a global market and lead in a number of fields, with an export rate comprising over two-thirds of its sales.

This accomplishment is especially striking when taking into account the need to preserve the assets of knowledge, production processes and advanced developments, while limiting their exposure in the age of globalization.  There is a reason that the security industries serve as one of the most important and effective engines for growth in the Israeli economy.

Both private and governmental security industries are not, of course, measured only by their economic production, but first and foremost by their ability to provide the IDF and security services with the best tools, systems and means necessary to strengthen the IDF’s quality advantage, in order to allow it to reach a speedy resolution in any military conflict, while at the same time defending the State of Israel’s civilian home front.  It goes without saying that IDF purchases serve to promote sales when marketing systems for export.  This fact, in and of itself, serves as a catalyst for growth with high added value.

For the past three years, the State of Israel has been characterized as a country with a strong economy by all accepted parameters indicating strength and domestic fortitude of a stable and developed economy.  These parameters include impressive growth rates, a large surplus in the balance of payments, a reduced budgetary deficit, low annual inflation, immense foreign currency balances, a decrease in the domestic national debt burden, along with developed industry and one of the world’s leading hi-tech sectors.

I believe I can say that these tremendous accomplishments result largely from proper, reasonable and responsible governmental economic policies, which also find expression in the 2009 State Budget which was recently approved by the Government, and I hope that things will continue in this vein in the future.

The security industries provide the IDF and State of Israel with a better ability – one that has become even more sophisticated – to successfully face the breadth of security threats ranging from Iran, the Hizbullah in Lebanon to the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.  However, I wholeheartedly believe that peace is the ultimate form of security and that the value of peace is the solid basis of the moral legacy of the people of Israel.

The State of Israel must continue to advance the peace process between our Palestinian neighbors and ourselves and between the State of Israel and Syria.  I believe that the very existence of a serious, credible and purposeful diplomatic process conducted from a place of power strengthens the moderate forces in our region, fortifies the State of Israel’s international standing and is effective and essential to the economy of our country, its prosperity and its future.

I call on the citizens of Israel: visit this exhibition.  Seeing the achievements of the IDF and security industries fills one’s heart.  Do not allow the daily headlines to disproportionately cast a shadow over the radiance, success and magnificence of the State of Israel. Visit this exhibition and arrive at the gates of the New Year which we will soon celebrate with a spirit of optimism, faith and security.

I wish a happy and blessed New Year to the Israel Defense Forces, to the security services, to the security industries, to the economy and to Israeli society – and to all the people of Israel