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Mr. Ze’ev Bielsky, Chairman of the Jewish Agency,
Minister of Absorption, Ze’ev Boim,
Chairmen of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Tony Gelbart and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass,
The Israeli Ambassador to the United States, my friend Danny Ayalon,
And Chairman of El Al, the national carrier, Prof. Issy Borovitz,
And last, but really first, you, the new Olim to the State of Israel,
Welcome.
This is a very exciting day for all of us. The last few weeks were not easy. Although we have to admit that this time, unlike many other times in the past, the State of Israel was not isolated and was not alone. A large part of the international community supported the State of Israel and justified the actions that the State of Israel took in order to defend our people.
America, Canada, Great Britain were amongst those who supported the State of Israel throughout this month, without hesitation, all along the way. But there is no support which is stronger, which is more meaningful, which is more significant, than that of the Jewish people in every part of the world. And there can be no greater support, no stronger statement of trust in the future of the State of Israel than your decision today to come to live in the State of Israel.
We always need help and support. And we accept this when it comes from our friends. But if there is one thing which can make a difference for the future of the State of Israel, one thing that really strengthens this country, it is Aliyah to the State of Israel.
We are not an easy country to live in. If you do not know this yet, you will find out soon. It is not easy… it is not easy. We have many difficulties. We have many challenges. But there is no other home than this one. This is the only home for you and for us. And I offer you today the one thing which comes from the depths of the hearts of all the Israelis: in the north and in the south, in the east and in the west. We offer you partnership. We offer you to share in our difficulties. We offer you to share in our triumphs. We offer you so share in our challenges. And most of all, we offer you to share in the pride of being Israelis, of living in Israel, of building this country, and of facing all those who are challenging the existence of the State of Israel.
When more than 500 Jews on this day come to the State of Israel, what they say to the world is, “We are afraid of no one, because we trust the State of Israel, we believe in the future of Israel, and we will build the State of Israel with all the Jewish people.”
Welcome. ברוכים הבאים. And thank you very much.
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