Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Message to Diaspora Communities
April 23, 2007

On the occasion of Yom Ha'atzmaut, it gives me great pleasure to send warm greetings from Jerusalem, the beating heart of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

Born from the ashes of the Holocaust, the establishment of the State of Israel was the realization of the long-held dream of a Jewish nation in our ancient homeland. For 59 years, with the unflagging support of our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, we have built and developed a modern, vibrant country.

Today, Israel is a country of breathtaking vistas and bustling metropolises, a country in which our ancient history is proudly preserved and displayed and in which we take well-deserved pride in our place at the forefront of technological breakthroughs and advancement. Israel is a country which has come of age economically despite constant threats.

As we dedicate the coming years to further strengthening the State of Israel, we look to you, our brothers and sisters, to actively partner with us in the Zionist enterprise. We have come so far, but there is still work to be done, especially in the Galilee and Negev regions. We encourage you to visit our beautiful country, and look forward to intensifying our existing dialogue.

Together, we must stride ahead to the future. We have always needed each other, and will always stand together for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Chag Sameach.

Ehud Olmert
Jerusalem, Israel