|
The Honorable President of the State, my friend, Mr. Shimon Peres,
The Honorable George Bush, President of the United States of America and Mrs. Laura Bush,
Presidents and World Leaders,
Speaker of the Knesset, Dalia Itzik,
Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Mr. Zeev Bielski,
Special Envoy of the Quartet, Former Prime Minister of Great Britain, my friend Tony Blair,
Government Ministers,
Members of Knesset,
Nobel Prize Laureates,
Economic and Technological Leaders from Around the World,
Israeli Economic and Company Leaders,
Distinguished Participants from so; many countries across the world,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just a few hours ago, I had the opportunity, together with the Minister of Defense, General Ehud Barak, to share with President Bush, the concerns that we have about the security of the people living in the south part of the State of Israel. The President came for a mission of peace and friendship, but he was fully aware of the complexities and the sensitivities, the dangers, the fears that so many Israelis have to face living in the State of Israel, in the south part of our country. What happened today is entirely intolerable and unacceptable. The Government of Israel is committed to stop it, and we will take the necessary steps so that this will stop.
It is an honor and a privilege to address such an impressive group of participants, particularly with the great friend of the State of Israel, George Bush. Gathered here today are heads of state from all parts of the world, representatives of Jewish communities from across the globe, Nobel Laureates, founders of the world's most successful companies, professors, authors, artists and a host of eminent guests. All united in the same goal of actively participating in shaping Israel’s future.
It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate 60 years of Israel’s independence with all of you!
President Peres, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to you for initiating this exceptional conference. I have a suggestion – there are many occasions in this speech to applaud President Peres. Wait and then give him a big hand – one big, great hand. Your ardent dedication to Israel throughout its 60 vibrant years is unmatched, while your rich experience and leadership provides us all with guidance and fills us with hope for the future. You have manifested vision, imagination, creativity and dedication, which are unprecedented. I know that some people say, “How, at the age of 84 does he have this energy?” And I always look at you, Mr. President, as so many Israelis, as so many world leaders who came to honor, and we say, “What a young man. What an energy, what a power, what a vision.” Thank you, Mr. President, for everything.
As we celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary, we also commemorate 60 years of friendship between the United States and Israel.
It gives me great pleasure to offer a special welcome to the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush – a great personal friend whose commitment to the State of Israel is immeasurable.
Mr. President, I have a written speech, but let me put it aside for a second. I want to tell you something personal. You are an unusual person, you are an unusual leader and you are an unusual friend of the people of Israel. I believe I know certain things that others don’t, that I’m supposed to know. It’s my duty to know, and I can tell all of you – President George Bush is a great leader, is a great friends, he’s a fount of inspiration, and we are proud that we can celebrate the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel with you and your wife here, in our eternal capital – in Jerusalem.
Our countries represent different peoples, but they have kindred souls. For both our countries, the visions of our founding fathers still resonate within, and guide our thoughts and actions.
Our core beliefs, our founding values and our aspirations are all drawn from the same inspiration.
Throughout the past 60 years, the United States has been a staunch and unwavering ally. Relations between our countries have evolved into a joint vision and are based on a deep understanding of the invaluable benefits of close cooperation.
With full confidence I say that the United States under your leadership represents the pinnacle of this friendship.
Israel is and must remain capable of securing its own future, relying only – and I repeat again, at the end of the day – only on ourselves for our protection. But everybody in Israel knows that we can always depend on our greatest ally in the world, the United States of America, when navigating the geo-political challenges of the future.
Israel continues to actively seek peace with its neighbors, especially with the Palestinians. We are making great efforts and seeing progress on this front, which we believe, with continued dedication and labor, will come to fruition, hopefully, as you, Mr. President and I said in the international gathering in Annapolis, that you initiated, by the end of the year 2008.
In addition to strong diplomatic relations, an integral element of the close cooperation between our countries is the dedication of the Jewish communities and the numerous Jewish organizations in America.
I thank you for your efforts and know that you will continue to play a key role in preserving our special relations.
Israel’s founding generation could only have dreams of achieving a state as advanced and spectacular as we have today. As one Jewish people, one Jewish nation, we must continue with the same vision, the same energy, and the same passion for developing our country, our homeland, as our forefathers had, so that we can implement our inspiring vision for the future.
Mr. President, in 2004 you said that America as a “nation is stronger and safer because we have a true and dependable ally in Israel”.
Today I say to you Mr. President, Israel is stronger and safer because we look to the future, and we know that the United States of America will always remain our closest and most dependable ally.
Thank you very much.
|