Greetings from the President of the State of Israel
to the Jewish Communities in the Diaspora
on the occasion of Israel’s 65th Independence Day
Dear Friends,
It is my privilege and great pleasure to invite you to join in the festivities marking Israel’s 65th Independence Day. It is a day of joy and celebration, and a time of immense pride for our country and its people, and for our brethren overseas, in the remarkable achievements accomplished in just over six decades, in partnership with you – our extended family.
This is also a time to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to defend our nation, and to whom we shall be eternally grateful. As a nation and as individuals, we owe those who have fallen for the sake of freedom and peace to uphold those values, to defend them with all our might. It is our duty not only to remember, but to act. A real opportunity for peace exists. The recent elections, President Obama's visit to Israel and the fast-paced changes which our region is undergoing all constitute a window of opportunity. It is up to each of us to seize that opportunity and transform it into a new reality for the benefit of future generations. It is up to you to open the window.
This is no easy task. It calls for courage and perseverance, and for all our partners around the world to unite in a common front for change. My friends, our heritage teaches us that the tenets of justice and peace must be pursued in order to better the world around us – Tikkun Olam. Together we can build a brighter tomorrow, a meaningful legacy for the generations to come, in the Jewish spirit of partnership and mutual responsibility.
חג עצמאות שמח!
Shimon Peres