U.S. President George Bush, speaking last night at the Washington Hilton Hotel, said that the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime could "begin a new stage for Middle Eastern peace," in that it would "deprive terrorist networks of a wealthy patron that pays for terrorist training, and offers rewards to families of suicide bombers." Calling for a Palestinian state that "abandons forever the use of terror," Bush also had demands for Israel: "As the terror threat is removed and security improves, Israel will be expected to support the creation of a viable Palestinian state and to work as quickly as possible toward a final status agreement. As progress is made toward peace, settlement activity in the occupied territories must end."
The night before, Prime Minister Sharon addressed the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Agency on the topic of "Jewish continuity." Excerpts:
"I am very pleased to be here this evening to take part in a discussion on matters concerning the Jewish people. I am first of all a Jew, and to me, being Jewish is the most important thing. In all my diplomatic meetings around the world… I begin with the words: 'I am a Jew, I come from the state of the Jewish people, the city of Jerusalem - the capital of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years and the united and undivided capital of the State of Israel forever.' And it is as a Jew that I am addressing you today...
"I wish to present to you my viewpoint of the challenges that the Jewish people is confronting at the dawn of the 21st century. Primary among these challenges is the subject of Jewish continuity… [We must] make a major investment in Jewish-Zionist education for future generations. Education for Jewish values, learning our glorious history and heritage, the Hebrew language - the language of the Jewish people, and the Bible, expanding our knowledge of Jewish continuity in the land of Israel over thousands of years, and strengthening the affinity of Jewish youth to the land of Israel.
"Enhancing Jewish education is important not only in the Diaspora. There is still much work in this field also in Israel...
"In the future, Jewish education will help [us face] another challenge facing the Jewish people - the challenge of immigration. Immigration is crucial to secure the future of the Jewish people. It is important not only to guarantee a Jewish majority in the State of Israel, but also to ensure Jewish existence throughout the world. One cannot argue with demographic statistics. Israel is the largest Jewish community and this is where Jewish growth increases continuously, more than anywhere else...
"In recent years we have been witnessing a phenomena, the magnitude of which we have never seen before. Many immigrants who are eligible for immigration under the Law of Return, but are not Jews according to Halacha [Jewish Law], have arrived in Israel. It is important to emphasize that these people see themselves as Jews, they serve in the Israel Defense Forces and have chosen to make Israel their home. Many of these people, upon their arrival in Israel, sought to formally join the Jewish people and convert. Unfortunately, many of them encountered bureaucratic obstacles which prevented them from doing so. I am not a rabbi and it is not for me to decide how Jews should be converted, but it is obvious to me that these bureaucratic obstacles must be removed so that anyone who is willing - in good faith - to undergo a conversion process, will be allowed to do so…
"Another challenge for the Jewish people is the development of two regions, where, I believe, lies the future of the Jewish people: the Negev and the Galilee. These are the only available lands for any future national projects. We must make the Negev and the Galilee a pioneer challenge for Jewish youths and take all necessary measures to ensure a Zionist majority in these regions...
"The final challenge that I wish to discuss today lies in the heart of every Jew - Jerusalem. 'Ten shares of beauty were given to world, Jerusalem took nine.' I am pleased that you were fortunate enough to be with us today, when the beauty of Jerusalem - cloaked in white - is radiating for all to see. No other city in the world best summarizes the essence of 'being Jewish,' no other city is more identified with the Jewish people. We must enhance the centrality of Jerusalem in the life of every Jew in the world..."
The night before, Prime Minister Sharon addressed the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Agency on the topic of "Jewish continuity." Excerpts:
"I am very pleased to be here this evening to take part in a discussion on matters concerning the Jewish people. I am first of all a Jew, and to me, being Jewish is the most important thing. In all my diplomatic meetings around the world… I begin with the words: 'I am a Jew, I come from the state of the Jewish people, the city of Jerusalem - the capital of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years and the united and undivided capital of the State of Israel forever.' And it is as a Jew that I am addressing you today...
"I wish to present to you my viewpoint of the challenges that the Jewish people is confronting at the dawn of the 21st century. Primary among these challenges is the subject of Jewish continuity… [We must] make a major investment in Jewish-Zionist education for future generations. Education for Jewish values, learning our glorious history and heritage, the Hebrew language - the language of the Jewish people, and the Bible, expanding our knowledge of Jewish continuity in the land of Israel over thousands of years, and strengthening the affinity of Jewish youth to the land of Israel.
"Enhancing Jewish education is important not only in the Diaspora. There is still much work in this field also in Israel...
"In the future, Jewish education will help [us face] another challenge facing the Jewish people - the challenge of immigration. Immigration is crucial to secure the future of the Jewish people. It is important not only to guarantee a Jewish majority in the State of Israel, but also to ensure Jewish existence throughout the world. One cannot argue with demographic statistics. Israel is the largest Jewish community and this is where Jewish growth increases continuously, more than anywhere else...
"In recent years we have been witnessing a phenomena, the magnitude of which we have never seen before. Many immigrants who are eligible for immigration under the Law of Return, but are not Jews according to Halacha [Jewish Law], have arrived in Israel. It is important to emphasize that these people see themselves as Jews, they serve in the Israel Defense Forces and have chosen to make Israel their home. Many of these people, upon their arrival in Israel, sought to formally join the Jewish people and convert. Unfortunately, many of them encountered bureaucratic obstacles which prevented them from doing so. I am not a rabbi and it is not for me to decide how Jews should be converted, but it is obvious to me that these bureaucratic obstacles must be removed so that anyone who is willing - in good faith - to undergo a conversion process, will be allowed to do so…
"Another challenge for the Jewish people is the development of two regions, where, I believe, lies the future of the Jewish people: the Negev and the Galilee. These are the only available lands for any future national projects. We must make the Negev and the Galilee a pioneer challenge for Jewish youths and take all necessary measures to ensure a Zionist majority in these regions...
"The final challenge that I wish to discuss today lies in the heart of every Jew - Jerusalem. 'Ten shares of beauty were given to world, Jerusalem took nine.' I am pleased that you were fortunate enough to be with us today, when the beauty of Jerusalem - cloaked in white - is radiating for all to see. No other city in the world best summarizes the essence of 'being Jewish,' no other city is more identified with the Jewish people. We must enhance the centrality of Jerusalem in the life of every Jew in the world..."