Message from
the President of the State of Israel
Mr. Moshe Katsav
to the Jewish Communities of the Diaspora
on Israel's Independence Day 5761-2001
Fifty-three years is but a short period in the Jewish people's
ancient history. However, much has been achieved in Israel since its
establishment after 2000 years of exile and 4000 years since becoming
a nation.
Our country's population has grown to more than six million,
including more than one million Arab citizens, who enjoy equal
rights. Immigrants have been absorbed from the four corners of the
world, and in the last decade, one million Jews from the former
Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Israel has given all of them social
security, health insurance, a home, and has seen to their basic
needs. There is no other country in the world which has succeeded, in
one decade, in adding 20 percent to its population.
Israel today is a strong, democratic, free and modern country, one of
the leaders in the world in the fields of advanced technology,
hi-tech, medicine, medical equipment and agriculture.
The road to peace is not an easy one. It is full of obstacles, but we
are determined to continue along it for the benefit of our people and
those of the region.
In conclusion, I wish to call on you to visit Israel more frequently
and to encourage your youth to join us and gain an impression of our
wonderful and developed country.
On the occasion of Independence Day, let us all unite around our
common principles and let us work together to strengthen the Jewish
people wherever they are.