Israel
President Shimon Peres Address At 90th Birthday
By
Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency
Jerusalem,
Israel --- June 18, 2013
The following was communicated
by the Israel President's Office to the Israel News Agency.
Address by
President Shimon Peres on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
Dear and distinguished
friends,
I am moved
to see so many friends here tonight, many of which have stood
by me, as I have stood by them. Together we made a long and thrilling
journey.
I greatly
appreciate that you have chosen to celebrate the birthday of a
man whose only sin was to grow a year older. I know you have come
to Jerusalem from around the world and from across the country
to pay tribute, with me, to our people, to the State of Israel,
and to Tikun Olam. Thank you all.
On this occasion,
I feel grateful, because the chapters of my life are entwined
with the story of the birth and the development of the State of
Israel. Because I have been given the wonderful privilege to serve
my country. To take part in the building of its strength. To pursue
peace, our heart's truest desire. During my decades of experience
as a public servant, I have learned one primary lesson:
To be a loyal
servant of your people, you must follow your moral compass, whose
values are clear cut. At dusk, take stock of the errors of the
day. At dawn, do not forget the night's dreams. I have learned
that a dream is only the beginning of a better tomorrow. And this
is the spirit of the gathering which we open tonight. Making the
dream of tomorrows today's agenda.
From my mother
Sarah, I learned the love of books. From my father Yitzhak, I
learned to work hard. My parents believed that ignorance and laziness
are sins. From Sonia, the love of my life, I learned the true
meaning of love. In her eyes, deep love is selfless. Deep love
is the total love of one's fellow. The love of one's life partner.
One's parents, one's children. And to do good, as much as one
can, while your good deeds remain nameless. I envied Sonia for
the strength and the resilience of her modesty. Together, with
great love, we built our common treasure: 3 children, 8 grandchildren,
and 3 great-grandchildren. They were lucky enough to inherit her
genes for the most part.
My life's
journey is a road that runs between Vishnieva, where I was born,
to Israel, where I lived as a youngster, full of dreams. It is
the road between my grandfather and David Ben Gurion, the two
figures who have left the deepest imprint on my life to this very
day. My revered grandfather, Rabbi Tzvi Melzer, a man of the Volozhin
Talmudic Yeshiva. He was murdered at the hands of the Nazis. He
taught me the Talmud during the day, and Tolstoy at night. He
shaped my life as a child. And on the other hand, David Ben Gurion,
the founder of the State of Israel, and the greatest Jew I have
ever known. He taught me the importance of vision in the shaping
of a desired reality. And that the moral call is the wisest of
human judgments. He taught me that there is nothing more responsible
than to take risks today for the sake of tomorrow's chance. His
political wisdom, his bold determination, his ability to make
difficult decisions and stand by them, strong as a rock; I believe
it is these traits which enabled a seemingly impossible dream
to become reality, and changed forever the destiny of our people's
history.
Happy Birthday
Mr. President.
Dear friends,
when I was a child, Israel was a legend more than a reality. She
emerged from a dream, and today she has surpassed that dream.
From the depths of the Holocaust we rose to heights which reach
far beyond the horizon of history. It did not happen overnight.
It was a long journey which came at an unbearable price. We have
known seven wars, we endured them all by virtue of our sons and
daughters, by virtue of our soldiers, and by virtue of the parents
who raised them. We gathered the exiles from the four corners
of the earth, and became one people. We built a vibrant democracy
and a diverse society. We made Israel a global hub for hi-tech,
science and creativity. We turned a refusing land into an inspiring
oasis.
The State
of Israel is the living proof that the potential hidden within
the human being is richer than the resources buried in the soil.
I love this country. The scent of the figs ripening on the tree
of my garden enchants me. So too the hum of the Jordan River and
the silence of the Negev nights. At every encounter with citizens
across the country, I am proud and moved at the sight of their
valor and talent, their spirit, their faith, and their generosity.
I am in love with my people who can be passionate and even short-tempered.
Their language is sometimes less than diplomatic but at the same
time their understanding, their creativity, their courage and
the goodness of their heart, their generosity and the warmth which
they exude can melt hearts.
The same Israeli
who will curse a driver who unfairly overtook him on the road
will willingly give up his life on the battlefield for the sake
of his country or to save the life of a brother.
Our work is
not yet complete. We came to the promised land and now we must
make it a land of promise. Into an exemplary country, Israel is
small in territory but can be great in justice. We must make it
into a country where no-one goes hungry. A country in which every
child has access to quality education. From the day they are born
and throughout their entire life. A nation in which the majority
governs but the minority always enjoys full and equal rights.
A country
which welcomes different opinions but rejects all forms of discrimination
whether based on religion, nationality, ethnicity or gender. A
society which respects the weak and is kind to the foreigner ,
which cares for the orphan and the widow, the old and the sick.
A country of solidarity and tolerance. But a country with zero-tolerance
for violence, corruption and bullying.
I am the son
of an ancient people. A people which has known suffering and brutality.
More than any other nation. We rebelled against idolatry. We preferred
to pray to one Lord, the God of justice, truth, equality and freedom.
I am proud to be a member of the dissatisfied nation. Dissatisfaction
drives a commitment to progress. I look at where we started and
where we are today. And I think to myself: to be an optimist is
so logical. It is so practical. I believe that Israel can go higher
and higher, if we make the necessary decisions. We genuinely and
truly strive to be a nation among nations, a nation that gives.
We long for peace with our neighbors. The yesterday between us
and the Palestinians is full of sadness. I believe that the Israel
of tomorrow and the Palestine of tomorrow can offer our children
a ray of hope. The advancement of peace will complete the march
of Israel towards the fulfillment of its founding vision. An exemplary
and thriving country. A country living in peace and security in
its homeland and among its neighbors.
Dear friends,
sometimes as a child you hear a verse which stays in your heart
for the rest of your life. As a child I asked my beloved grandfather,
Rabbit Tzvi Meltzer, which verse one should carry in one's heart.
He recited to me the 34th verse of the Book of Psalms;
"Whoever
of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your
tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil
and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."
Let us pray
together for a tomorrow of peace. I thank you all from the depths
of a loving and optimistic heart.
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