enjoy!
PM Ehud Olmert's address to the General Assembly, Jerusalem, Israel
Distinguished Ministers,
Members of Knesset,
Members of the General Assembly,
Chair Persons of the General Assembly, Ms. Shari Arison, Mark and Jane Wilf,
The Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency, Mr. Richie Pearlstone,
My Friend, the able, dynamic, creative and effective Chairman of the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization Executive, Zeev Bielski,
My dear and personal friend, I hate to tell you of how many years – maybe because you will learn something new about me, because you will never believe that the young good-looking representative, Chairman and President of UJC in the State of Israel, Nachman Shai, is almost my age – almost my age. I am delighted to recognize a person has devoted many years to many important Jewish causes in the State of Israel, in the Diaspora, in different capacities, always with excellence and grace which are unique.
Distinguished Guests from many different organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am really very happy, very very happy to see all of you here in this gathering, the bi-annual General Assembly meeting, in the State of Israel. I was privileged enough, to host as mayor of Jerusalem the first such meeting of the General Assembly in Jerusalem, in this building. Tonight, there is another mayor of the city of Jerusalem, a new mayor of the city of Jerusalem – Nir Barkat, and I am very happy to welcome him here tonight, as the new leader of this great, eternal capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
I am also very happy to recognize my dear friend, the Consul General of the State of Israel in the city of New York, Mr. Asi Shariv. And I am very happy to see all of you. As I said before, this is the most important thing – to see all of you here, to know that, in spite of all of the difficulties and constraints, and some concerns – I heard that there is a little crisis over there in some countries. But in spite of all of this, you found the time, and the energy to come here and to be with us here at this time, and we are very happy and very proud of this.
. We all believe that a strong and vibrant Israel is a very important ingredient in building up the strength of the Jewish people in every part of the world.
Although this is, most likely, my last appearance before this distinguished crowd as Prime Minister of Israel, this is by no means a goodbye. I am certain we will continue to meet and discuss all the important issues that affect Israel's future, that affect our joint future, the future of the Jews across the world and the future of us here in the State of Israel..
This year the GA is focused on the young generation of the Jewish people, under the title: One People – One Destination. I can not imagine a more important issue confronting our people at this time.
Israel is faced with a number of complex challenges, some of which are a veritable threat to its existence: the peace process between Israel and its neighbors, the constant threat of terrorism, Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, a global financial crisis, socio-economic gaps in Israel, the education challenge, and many others. As Prime Minister I devote most of my time to these issues day in and day out, as I have done over the past three years and I will not cease until my last day in office.
But, there are also other, more silent, covert concerns. The dangers that we discover when it is almost, sometimes, too late:
A weakening affinity of the Jewish youth in the Diaspora to Israel is one such issue.
The distancing of the future generations from the most basic principles of the Jewish faith is another such issue.
The gradual decrease in Jewish demographics is exactly such an issue.
For almost a decade, the Government of Israel has addressed these existential threats with the same vigor as any other threat against the Jewish people.
The Government of Israel has invested unprecedented amounts of money, many hundreds of millions of shekels, into projects that address these very issues.
There are those of us here today who remember first hand when the State of Israel was the "project of the Jewish people." Jewish communities around the world joined hands, with all their heart and soul, to build the young state of Israel.
Today, nobody has to imagine the State of Israel.
Israel exists in its full glory.
Today, 60 years after the proclamation of the State of Israel, we can say that the Jewish people across the world have become the "project of the State of Israel".
My predecessor, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, along with the Jewish Agency, initiated the MASA project to promote Jewish Zionist education;
[Applause]
Hey guys, I expected more. Give MASA a big hand – they are great!
We wholeheartedly support TAGLIT, Birthright – what happened to you tonight? What happened to you? I want to hear a real statement made by you about Taglit so that everyone will hear it. Right.
I am very proud of these two projects. More needs to be done. All of us, the Israeli government and Jewish organizations around the world, must do more to promote these projects, even throughout difficult financial times, and initiate others, for the future of the Jewish people…
As I look at the hundreds of young people here with us tonight my heart is filled with pride.
Here with us today is Gabriel Manasse, a new Oleh from Italy, starting his life in Israel as a young outstanding manager in a brokerage firm, not the easiest job during these difficult days. Where is Gabriel? Gabriel, don't let me down. Stand up and wave your hands. All right, give him a big hand.
Also with us is Sally Glass-Cohen from Dallas, Texas, who is volunteering in Ramle in the framework of MASA's Israel Service Corps program, which has added 150 new volunteers in the past month alone. Where are you Sally? Stand up and turn around so that everyone can see you.
I see you, participants of TAGLIT-Birthright, MASA, HILLEL, KOL DOR, OTSMA and tell you here and now: Israel is your home. Israel is your future.
I want to tell you something very quick and very short. I know all you guys come from wonderful countries. And where you come from is always wonderful for you Jews in every aspect of life. You enjoy your life, you have a high quality of life, you have many opportunities. You feel equal, you live in a comfortable situation. You have everything you need. And I do not want to say anything against any of the countries you come from, because those countries are great friends of Israel. But don't forget, don't ever forget – there is one home for all of us, and this home is here. There is only one home for the Jewish people.
You are Israel's greatest asset. You are future leaders of the Jewish people!
Come bring your energies, ideas, initiatives and your involvement in "Tikun Olam." Live here for a while, live here forever, but at least for a while. Perhaps you'll meet a life-long partner, this business is highly developed here, very successful. Roll the Hebrew diction on your tongues, play an active role in this wonderful country of Israel. I embrace you. The people of Israel embrace you.
Ladies and Gentleman,
Just a few days ago we commemorated 70 years since "Kristallnacht." 70 years lie between us and that horrifying night that will forever be registered as the harshest warning of the Holocaust to the Jews of Europe. Today, while Anti-Semitism exists, and sadly in some countries it still flourishes, no Jew should hide his religious identity.
We must stand up and be proud of our heritage, our past, our culture – we must nurture it. Today, the strong State of Israel is our most effective deterrent, to protect the Jewish people world-wide.
I am confident that no one issue can unite us, as one nation, in unanimous consent of the consequences of inaction other than the issue of Iran.
Iran has not terminated its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iran has not ceased its funding and training of terrorists in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority and around the word.
Iran has not stopped its pursuit of regional hegemony and creating chaos in this tormented region.
We must unite our forces, as part of the international community, led by the United States of America;
We must confront Iran's malevolent diligence and thwart it with greater force;
We must increase our measures to prevent Iran from achieving its devious goals;
We must increase bilateral and international sanctions thereby increasing the pressure on Iran's economy until Iran changes its path of confrontation with the international community.
Each and every one of us needs to play a role; lobby your government, lead your organization or identify a project that can be created to exert additional pressure on Iran. Enforce Iran's international isolation as long as it abuses the norms of the international community.
It must become more costly to Iran to pursue nuclear weapons than to give it up.
Iran cannot become nuclear. Israel cannot afford it; the Jewish people cannot afford it; countries in the Middle East cannot afford it; the free world must not accept it.
We must all do whatever we can to prevent it. Our voice must be loud and clear, without hesitation, without weakness. Together we can meet this challenge.
Dear Friends,
Israel under my leadership maintains its commitment to making progress on two political processes – serious and meaningful negotiations, with the Palestinians and with Syria, which started, and which continue, and which I believe are essential for the future wellbeing and security of the State of Israel . I believe that it is within the strategic interests of the State of Israel, and therefore as long as I am prime minister, I will spare no effort to make the necessary progress to advance the peace process.
Peace with our neighbors should be the inheritance we provide to our future generations. It is within reach.
Through all these challenges, with all our hopes, while we stand together as one united Jewish people, I am certain we can determine our future, create a stronger, better, more prosperous and secure Israel for the generations to come. We share the same goals, our destinies are united. Together, young and old, religious and secular, in Israel and the Diaspora we can work together and triumph together. I wish you all "Yishar Koach". Israel needs you strong, and with you Israel will be strong, vibrant, successful, and will overcome all the challenges ahead.
Thank you very much.
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