In the coming days, we are going to celebrate the 70th Independence day of the State of Israel.
I am happy and proud to celebrate this year here in Cyprus, a neighboring country as well as a true friend and close partner.
The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was a fulfilment of a 2,000 years old dream of the Jewish people. Following centuries of exile, the hope was finally realized; living as free people in our land, “The land of Zion and Jerusalem”.
For Jewish Holocaust survivors, the UN decision of 29 November 1947 – which opened the door to the creation of the State of Israel – was a true miracle. A historic moment that enabled the rise from the ashes of the Holocaust to a new life, in a Jewish sovereign independent state.
It was in that period that the links between the Jewish and the Cypriot people, which date back to the Hellenistic period received a new meaning. The historic bonds between the two people, transformed to an “alliance of the hearts”, when around 53,000 Jews, who fled Europe, were led to British detention camps in Cyprus. During those difficult times, there emerged a strong friendship with the people of Cyprus, who loyal to their moral convictions, opened their hearts to assist the Jewish detainees in the camps.
This “alliance of the hearts” is solidified by the common values. Both nations value democracy and freedom. The Proclamation of Independence of Israel ensures complete equality of social, political and religious. The daily expression of this freedom can be seen in the old City of Jerusalem – a sacred place to three major monotheistic religions, where Christians walk on their way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, alongside Muslims entering the Mosque for the Friday prayer and Jews gathering in the Wailing Wall.
In recent years, more than ever before, this alliance of the hearts was coupled with an alliance of interests. During emergency situations, in times of need, Cyprus and Israel stand side by side. The upcoming trilateral summit between the three heads of states of Cyprus, Israel and Greece in the coming weeks, signalizes the genuine will of cooperation at the highest level. On the regional strategic level, confronting threats of extremism and terrorism, Israel and Cyprus, together with other like-minded countries in the region, share the vision of promoting stability, security and peace.
Our two counties share also great opportunities to develop further their economic cooperation. The significant natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean offer much potential for joint ventures and commercial growth. Record numbers of tourists enjoy the beautiful tourist attractions and our rich cultural heritage. With over 80 flights per week, as well as growing investments in tourism infrastructure, there is significant potential for further development.
Today, we believe that the time is right to connect Israel and Cyprus in the important field of INNOVATION and STARTUPS. We Israelis are very proud of the many accomplishments our nation has achieved. In the early years, Israel was mainly an agricultural country, but over the past decades it became known as the “START-UP NATION”. As we like to say “Israel went from Oranges to Apple”! Israel’s high tech eco-system and thousands of Israeli start-ups have given rise to innovations from drip irrigation, solar systems, computer hardware, robotics, biotechnology, navigation systems, automated cars and much more.
Israel’s 70th Independence day celebrations in Cyprus will be in particular a celebration of Innovation. The Embassy of Israel together with the government of Cyprus and leading research institutions, will host Saul Singer, co-author of the best seller “Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle”. The book examines Israel’s adversity-driven culture and how the entrepreneurial spirit launched the country’s high-tech sector. I am convinced that together we will be able to foster the culture of innovation and create the necessary environment to encourage entrepreneurship. This will be an important key to further promote long lasting prosperity and offer a new horizon to the future generation.
I look forward to writing a new exciting chapter in the relations between our countries. Relations which are based on the beating heart of our historical bonds, on the profound friendship between Israel and Cyprus, on our common values and on a shared vision for the future.
SHALOM!
Sammy Revel
Ambassador of Israel