Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday night addressed the participants of the \"Birthright\" program in the Jerusalem Convention Center. Birthright is an international partnership which sends young adults on free 10-day trips to Israel. Following are the prime minister\'s remarks.
It gives me great pleasure to address you tonight. I have one message: Welcome home to Jerusalem, the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people for the last 3000 years, and of the State of Israel for the last 53 years and forever. Jerusalem has been around for 3000 years but only gets snow once a year. Defending our birthright to this city and this land is the right and duty of every Jew in Israel and the Diaspora alike.
When I speak to you tonight, I speak to you first and foremost as a Jew. Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people is not just an Israeli project, it is a worldwide project of all Jewish people. Jews can stand up and be proud and strong everywhere in the world because of Israel.
Your visit here today takes on special significance because you are showing solidarity with the people of Israel. Specifically now, during these challenging times, your show of support is most reassuring.
Although Israel is a tiny small country it is the only place in the world where Jews have the right and capability to defend themselves by themselves. And for that we have to thank G-d everyday.
This past year has been a particularly challenging one for us. We have been fighting a war of terrorism launched by the Palestinian Authority.
Last week, the IDF conducted a bold operation, \"Noah\'s Ark.\" Five hundred kilometers from our shores, naval fighters took over a ship carrying 50 tons of weapons designated for the Palestinian Authority.
This ship of terror, which was on its way to the Gaza shore, was carrying the type of weapons and ammunition that could threaten the lives of each and every citizen of Israel. Its arsenal included: 120mm Katyusha rocket launchers with a range of over 20 km, 2 and a half tons of the most advanced explosives, as well as other offensive weapons. These would have changed the strategic balance, putting Israel in an impossible situation where all of Israel becomes hostage to Arafat\'s terror strategy.
The simple fact is, the Arabs don\'t recognize our right to exist in our homeland, Israel.
Israel is a peace-seeking nation. For true peace that will last for generations, we are willing to make painful compromises. But there can be no compromise whatsoever on the safety and security of the citizens of Israel.
Look at how much we have accomplished since the State of Israel was founded 53 years ago. We have made significant accomplishments in the fields of education, agriculture, technology, industry and infrastructure. We have brought millions of Jews here who speak eighty-two languages, all of them speak Hebrew today. We are a true democracy - the only one in the Middle East - and we continue to develop our most important resource, our people, the Jewish people.
I am proud that the Israeli government supports the Birthright program. I am proud that over 25,000 students from 25 countries have visited as a result and connected with their roots, homeland with its uninterrupted Jewish history, heritage, and most importantly with other Jews. You are part of a great chain that goes back thousands of years and links every Jew all over the world.
The participation of Israelis, both through Government sponsorship and in the various programs is most significant. We share a collective past and are bound by common destiny.
You have an important role as the future of the Jewish people depends on you. Our main priority is to bring one million new immigrants (Olim) to Israel over the next 10 years. You can and should be part of that group by making Aliyah. You can help ensure that the Jewish State will be strong and will survive. There is so much you can do.
When you return to your countries you have a responsibility to tell your family, friends, and fellow students what you saw. Tell them about Israel, our people, our places, and our challenges. You can make a difference - each one of you has the power and capability to persuade, influence and speak for what is rightfully yours. You must defend Israel because it is yours as well as ours.
Once again, thank you for coming here, welcome home, welcome to Jerusalem.
[Jewish students and young adults aged 18-26 can find out more about Birthright trips at BirthrightIsrael.com ]
It gives me great pleasure to address you tonight. I have one message: Welcome home to Jerusalem, the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people for the last 3000 years, and of the State of Israel for the last 53 years and forever. Jerusalem has been around for 3000 years but only gets snow once a year. Defending our birthright to this city and this land is the right and duty of every Jew in Israel and the Diaspora alike.
When I speak to you tonight, I speak to you first and foremost as a Jew. Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people is not just an Israeli project, it is a worldwide project of all Jewish people. Jews can stand up and be proud and strong everywhere in the world because of Israel.
Your visit here today takes on special significance because you are showing solidarity with the people of Israel. Specifically now, during these challenging times, your show of support is most reassuring.
Although Israel is a tiny small country it is the only place in the world where Jews have the right and capability to defend themselves by themselves. And for that we have to thank G-d everyday.
This past year has been a particularly challenging one for us. We have been fighting a war of terrorism launched by the Palestinian Authority.
Last week, the IDF conducted a bold operation, \"Noah\'s Ark.\" Five hundred kilometers from our shores, naval fighters took over a ship carrying 50 tons of weapons designated for the Palestinian Authority.
This ship of terror, which was on its way to the Gaza shore, was carrying the type of weapons and ammunition that could threaten the lives of each and every citizen of Israel. Its arsenal included: 120mm Katyusha rocket launchers with a range of over 20 km, 2 and a half tons of the most advanced explosives, as well as other offensive weapons. These would have changed the strategic balance, putting Israel in an impossible situation where all of Israel becomes hostage to Arafat\'s terror strategy.
The simple fact is, the Arabs don\'t recognize our right to exist in our homeland, Israel.
Israel is a peace-seeking nation. For true peace that will last for generations, we are willing to make painful compromises. But there can be no compromise whatsoever on the safety and security of the citizens of Israel.
Look at how much we have accomplished since the State of Israel was founded 53 years ago. We have made significant accomplishments in the fields of education, agriculture, technology, industry and infrastructure. We have brought millions of Jews here who speak eighty-two languages, all of them speak Hebrew today. We are a true democracy - the only one in the Middle East - and we continue to develop our most important resource, our people, the Jewish people.
I am proud that the Israeli government supports the Birthright program. I am proud that over 25,000 students from 25 countries have visited as a result and connected with their roots, homeland with its uninterrupted Jewish history, heritage, and most importantly with other Jews. You are part of a great chain that goes back thousands of years and links every Jew all over the world.
The participation of Israelis, both through Government sponsorship and in the various programs is most significant. We share a collective past and are bound by common destiny.
You have an important role as the future of the Jewish people depends on you. Our main priority is to bring one million new immigrants (Olim) to Israel over the next 10 years. You can and should be part of that group by making Aliyah. You can help ensure that the Jewish State will be strong and will survive. There is so much you can do.
When you return to your countries you have a responsibility to tell your family, friends, and fellow students what you saw. Tell them about Israel, our people, our places, and our challenges. You can make a difference - each one of you has the power and capability to persuade, influence and speak for what is rightfully yours. You must defend Israel because it is yours as well as ours.
Once again, thank you for coming here, welcome home, welcome to Jerusalem.
[Jewish students and young adults aged 18-26 can find out more about Birthright trips at BirthrightIsrael.com ]