Israel's 37th independence day was marked by sombre celebrations, under the shadow of the casualties still exacted by the IDFs presence in Lebanon. The worsening economic situation also cast gloom on Israel. But the president noted also the many achievements of Israel, a free, vibrant, creative society, a democratic way of life, the contribution made by the immigrants to Israeli society and above all, the need to look forward in faith and hope. Text:
My friends,
Our Memorial Day for the fallen in Israel's wars has just concluded, and we now celebrate the 37th Independence Day of the state. To our sorrow, not a few households in Israel have known pain and bereavement during this past year. Now at the opening of our celebration, I wish, in your name, to bow my head in tribute to those who have given their lives - Jews, Druze, Moslems and Christians - and to express our sincerest sympathy to the bereaved families, as well as wishes for a complete recovery to all our wounded. To the families of the captives and missing I send my hopes for a swift reunion with their dear ones.
At this moment I cast my eyes back to the period forty years ago, when I witnessed the destruction of Nazi Germany and the defeat of the enemies of mankind. When I compare our situation in Europe and here forty years ago, with our situation today in our own state, with its military strength, and with our fate in our own hands - I am filled with hope and profoundly encouraged even in difficult times. We dare not forget the magnificent historic achievement that the State of Israel represents. Yet, at the same time, we may not close our eyes to the negative developments in our society against which we must struggle if we wish to preserve the miracle of our generation - the State of Israel.
This 37th Independence Day falls in a difficult time but one not without hope and expectation. We are still in the throes of a grave economic crisis, the armed struggle in Lebanon has not yet been concluded, and peace is still not assured on our northern border. In the year to come patience, hard work and concentrated economic effort will be required of us all. The realization of our hopes for prosperity, economic independence and peace will still be far off, and we will have to gird ourselves to restrain enemies from attacking us. This is the reality we will be facing in the next year of our independence, and, it would seem, in succeeding years as well. I have no doubt that we will overcome all external challenges, and successfully resist all the threats levelled at us by enemies and antagonists. We have known in the past - and will surely know in the future - how to stand firm and united and ward off dangers and evil designs.
It is our internal problems that give me particular cause for concern. Extremism still flourishes and to our sorrow, marginal elements in our society - particularly young people - have become the captives of strange, violent doctrines held by fanatical groups, alien to the true spirit of Israel. On the margins of our society we hear advocacy of racist concepts and of actions that contradict the Torah and tradition of Israel and the values of our society. The tensions in religious circles have also become more severe and give cause for anxiety because of their characteristic tendency to escalation, and the very few factors preaching and practicing moderation and restraint. We must take a renewed oath of allegiance to democracy in Israel, to our own Declaration of Independence which solemnly pledges equal social and political rights to all citizens, irrespective of religion, race or sex. We must be absolutely determined in our struggle against every effort, internal or external, to impair our democratic system.
Yet it would be a great mistake to see those defects as the total picture of Israel. Ours is a free, vibrant, creative society, a democratic way of life with few parallels in the world. Our society respects the individual and his rights, sees every citizen as a free man, attempts with growing success to close the gaps between ethnic groups and to bring into being a variegated, multi-cultured, attractive community. This is a rare and humane national renaissance. Aliya - the last instance of which is the rescue of our Ethiopian brothers and sisters (we pray that the gates of Russia and Syria will be opened very soon), the cultivation of wastelands, the splendid agricultural development, the kibbutzim and moshavim, the development towns, the sophisticated industries, the cultural, scientific and technological achievements, the creation of an outstanding defense force - all these are aspects of the Zionist revolution which has brought into being here one of the mightiest of mankind's victories in the face of unbelievable challenges and difficulties that only a great and talented people, sustained by faith, could have vanquished.
Our chief problem today is the economic situation with all its social, political and security implications. I am convinced that a people which has to its credit achievements in industry, agriculture and tourism making possible annual exports of 11 billion dollars in goods and services - such a people will be able to emerge from the present crisis if only it has the will to do so and raises its productivity to the level of the western world. Just a few days ago in the course of a visit, I was able to view technological innovations in the field of security, which place us in the first rank in certain fields of development. Indeed, Israeli technological achievement is the theme of this year's independence day, and that achievement will move us forward towards economic independence and better days.
Fellow citizens,
Let us look forward in faith and hope. We need only remember the smoke rising from the furnaces of destruction 40 years ago and the heroic days of our War of Independence when, few against many, we fought for our survival against the Arab armies, losing one in every hundred of our population on the altar of freedom. Let us find encouragement in the strength and the faith which enabled us to withstand seemingly insuperable difficulties in the past. We have the strength, the ability, the expertise. If only we will it, we shall surely succeed and go forth on the road towards achievements of which we have not even dreamed.
In gratitude to the almighty, who has brought us to this festive day, I extend to all the house of Israel warmest wishes for a happy independence day.