In the Jewish tradition the High Holy Days are also a time for national soul searching. The past year was a year of challenge to the Jewish people. It was a year in which we hourly had to prove our national strength, our unity and our bond to our country — our homeland. Terrorism afflicted us indiscriminately and aimed at defeating Israel for political benefits. The terrorism experienced during the past year has been the most difficult and cruel ever encountered and it brought back forgotten images.
Despite the difficulties, Israel has not ceased aiming for peace and fulfilling its obligation to defend its citizens.
The people of Israel derive encouragement from the solidarity missions arriving from the diaspora. The solidarity rallies with Israel taking place throughout the world symbolize the special attachment of the Jewish people with our homeland. Your continued efforts are important and unify us.
Dear friends, despite the difficulties and concerns, we must remember the historical achievements of the people of Israel: The eight-fold increase of the Jewish population in Israel from 600,000 to 5 million, including the immigration and absorption of the Holocaust survivors from Europe, the Jews from Islamic countries, from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia; the revival of the Hebrew language; technological achievements; a modern democratic country; building an Israeli society and culture common to Jews who have come here from 102 countries and speak 82 languages.
Especially at this time, we are duty-bound to increase the attachment to the state of Israel and to deepen the Jewish education and Zionist heritage amongst us. I call on the Jewish communities in the world to visit Israel and to place the issue of aliyah on their agenda. We are one people, we have one heritage and one destiny.
On the eve of the New Year, I convey to you and to your families my best wishes for a happy New Year, a year of ingathering of the exiles, a year of peace and security. We all hope and pray for better days for the Jewish people.