April 28, 2008

FM Livni addresses the Diplomatic Corps at a reception in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary

"Israel's achievements are extraordinary. Israel is characterized today by a modern and vibrant economy... There are still many things for us to accomplish [and] I can assure you that we will walk along that rocky road with the same spirit and sense of optimism that created the State of Israel sixty years ago."
 

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni addressed the members of the Diplomatic Corps at a reception in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary of independence.

Dear members of the Diplomatic Corps, distinguished guests,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the ongoing cooperation with your countries throughout Israel's sixty years.

At the young age of sixty, Israel has attained achievements that are extraordinary in scope. Israel is characterized today by a modern and vibrant economy that is largely based on high tech, research, development and science.

The establishment of the State of Israel expresses a historical justice and the international community's understanding that supporting the establishment of the State of Israel was essential for giving national expression to the Jewish nation and as a way to end the national conflict between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The Jewish nation chose this way in order to prosper in a sovereign state, even if not in the entire land representing their historical aspirations.

When Israel was established, we didn't change our minds or goals. The community that lived in the land of Israel welcomed all the immigrants and Jewish refugees who came with almost nothing in their hands and found here very little except for the hostility of our neighbors, some of whom to this day have not fully accepted our existence in the region.

The quest for peace has led Israel since the state was born. As stated in the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel: "We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East."

Unfortunately, in the past sixty years there has not been a single day without attacks and threats on our lives here.

With this in mind, as we celebrate our sixtieth birthday, we are proud of the pillars on which Israel is based: preserving our democratic values, despite the threats, and our economic achievements.

We are full of pride and satisfaction for what we have accomplished, with the aid of human resources and creativity alone, and with virtually no natural resources.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A main challenge for us is to find a place for Israel's economy and companies within the Middle Eastern economic sphere. Economic cooperation can help in building a network of moderates that will stand as an alternative to the extremists of the region headed by Iran, Hizbulla and Hamas.

We must present an alternative of progress, modernity and economic development that will hopefully win the hearts and minds of the masses. Such economic cooperation will also create the right environment for promoting the peace process with the Palestinians. We believe that a good economical climate is essential to bring the peoples of the region, especially Israel and the Palestinians, closer.

Investment in peace needs a similar investment in fighting the enemies of peace.

We stretch our hands to all the nations of the Middle East and call for lowering the walls of confrontation and building instead bridges of economic and commercial ties with the State of Israel. The strengthening of economic cooperation in the Middle East would be a "Win-Win" situation for all concerned.

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