For generations, people around the world have congratulated each other by saying, “May this year with its curses end, may a year of blessings begin.”
No better saying comes to mind to reflect the tragedies and hardships this country has endured over the past few days following the horrific attacks against America and democracy.
As we try to understand what happened, as we pray for the families of the deceased and for the wounded to heal, our hearts and spirits are united across the ocean.
Terrorism has hit America and Israel before but not as viciously as it has in the past year. Israelis have been reminded of the risks we face in our region, while people in this country have learned that evil forces are aiming at the very essence of American spirit and way of life.
Despicable people have targeted America for what it stands for, so we must all join hands in a fight against terrorism. The message to the international community should be clear: Either fight against terrorism or face isolation. This is the message that Israel has been trying to convey to our Palestinian neighbors for the past year. We know that there is no military solution to the conflict with the Palestinians, but at the same time terrorism must never be tolerated.
America’s spirit and strength will overcome this tragedy and Israel’s spirit is as strong as ever before. We will never give up the dream of a sovereign Jewish homeland. For Israelis, the hope for peace has always been the glue that has held us together, strengthening us as we face our many challenges. In ushering in a new year, we remember the long struggle for Israel’s independence, the sacrifices we have made and our many achievements.
No one should ever underestimate the depth of our spirit. Both Americans and Israelis should look back at their history as a source of reassurance and strength. The international community, especially now, needs to convey a message to leaders and countries in the Middle East to do everything in their power to stop violence. There is no excuse for terrorism.
No nation is exempt from the challenges of defense and security. No country is immune to international or domestic terrorism. At the dawn of the 21st century, it is imperative to counter terrorism and delegitimize its sponsors and facilitators.
As Israel seeks a political solution to the conflict with our neighbors, we will not compromise on our demands of the Palestinian Authority to disassociate itself from terrorism.
As nations and countries face the aftermath of historic tragedies, tradition, values and the message of our founding fathers come back to the forefront.
Today, as Israel is coping with trials we once believed to be behind us, we again look to Zionist values. In re-emphasizing the Zionist platform we must refrain from past mistakes. We must not only recognize the existence and aspirations of another people, but also try to understand their point of view and address them as partners. We need to respect the symbols of others while cherishing our own. It may take years or decades, but peace will come to our land, and this prophecy will be a reality:
“…and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid” (Isaiah 2:4).
It is imperative that Israel and the United States, in spite of atrocious attacks, maintain their way of life and their quest for peace and security.
Israel feels that it bears a special responsibility to guarantee the achievement of the Jewish dream of returning to the land of our forefathers. It is our duty to ensure that each new generation establishes its own connection with Israel. Israel is and always will be the Jewish homeland. It is vital that young Jews around the world understand that this is their home too, regardless of where they live, and that Israel will always be there for them.
The past year brought many to ask themselves about the meaning of being Jewish in Israel. It brought many in the diaspora to question what it means to support Israel from abroad in this crucial time.
The essence of the relations between the two major Jewish communities in the world has never been fully understood. While no one can claim to have the formula for defining relations across oceans, debating the meaning of mutual responsibility is a major contribution to bettering Jewish life.
We need to treat each other as equals, and respect one another for who we are not for who we expect the other to be.
We need to accept ourselves as members of an extended family and reach out to one another in the good times and not only in emergencies.
There is a need to develop a new Jewish agenda that will respond to the needs of both communities. It is a time for redefining the role of each community in the other’s life. Advancing such dialogue and understanding has been part of this Consulate’s agenda in the last year.
The period from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur is known to be a time of soul-searching and atonement. We all have to search our souls; no one is exempt. This has been a challenging year, a year of continuous learning, a year full of tragedies, hope and promise.
Our main agendas this year were to reach out to the Jewish community, explain the developments in our region and garner support for Israel.
During the year we went through difficult times, but we always found interest, love and support for Israel.
As the New Year begins, we hope that we can continue and expand our role as Israel’s voice in the region. Our priority is helping the community understand the difficult reality in which Israel exists and the challenges it faces.
Unfortunately, after the recent events in New York and Washington D.C., it seems that we are not alone in this quest to defend democracy and freedom.
People may endorse one political view or another, but they will always have a place for Israel in their hearts.
This is the beginning of a new year, with some new challenges and some old ones. This is a time when we must work together, and not give up on one another. Unity and cooperation is the call of the hour, and I hope you will join me in answering that call.