Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.  I take great pleasure and indeed am honored to welcome you to the 74th celebration of the State of Israel – almost nine and a half million people, from all corners of the earth, more religions than I can count, and a culture that is one of the most unique imaginable. 

There are many similarities between Israel and Ireland – more than many would like to admit. Like Ireland, ours is a dynamic culture; pluralistic and energetic to the point of neurosis, where political correctness is considered hypocrisy, where anachronisms like heroism, nationalism, and beliefs are constantly challenged.  And like Ireland, despite the scattering of our nations to all four corners of the world, ours are cultures that remain rare. 

Let me explain:

Countries usually evolve.  Some from the unification of city-states or feudal fiefdoms, some as a result of conquest, and some seem to have always been there.  Israel was created on the basis of a utopian dream, the search for a solution, and the quest for a historical past.  The State of Israel was created, not by generals or Kings, but by a group of 19th-century intellectuals, theorizing and arguing amongst themselves about how best to create a homeland for the Jewish People.

In one of the true anomalies of human history, they succeeded – from talk and lobbying, and planned rural development, they actually built roads and homes and an administration where previously there had been, in the words of Mark Twain, “a silent mournful expanse…. a desolation”.  From naught, they created a utopia.

But utopia can never really be attained.  It is an ideal, and like all ideals, it can only be aspired to.  Through trial and error, through constant renewal, the breaking down of taboos, and the attempt to do better. 

Abroad, we constantly hear about Israel’s capabilities and shortcomings, our entrepreneurial spirit, and other wonderful things. At celebrations like this, we tend to gloss over the mistakes; but believe me, if you aren’t making mistakes, you’re probably not achieving very much either. 

At the basis of the Israeli experience is a deep moralistic tendency that, whatever its source, constantly pushes us to do, not more, not quicker, but better.

Any of you who have BEEN to Israel knows full well that the public discourse is RARELY about how good we are, but whether we did right or wrong.  This is never a foregone conclusion.  It forces us to constantly question every task we undertake, every ideal we ever held, and every belief we hold dear. 

Independence Day is an inspiring example of this.  It comes the day after Remembrance Day.  Before we give thanks for our present independence, we spend an entire day mourning the price.  Not because we wouldn’t have paid it given the choice, but to ask ourselves if we couldn’t have done better!  We remember our fallen and cry over them.  And then, at 8 in the evening, the siren rings and we switch to celebration mode.  We can then dance, sing and get drunk.  But we can’t remove from our minds those who can’t. 

It forces us to remember, even when celebrating, that we must always try to do better and be thankful for what we have. 

And as we do that, we turn our eyes towards those from whom it threatens to be taken – a horrible war in Ukraine, whose repercussions are already echoing throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of the world.  Our hearts are filled with pain for the unnecessary casualties and destruction. But they are also filled with awe at the bravery of the Ukrainian people and the leadership of their President, Volodimir Zelensky. And we hope, we hope DEARLY, for a peaceful resolution.

Thank you! 

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