I am more than ever cognizant of the privilege and the responsibility that befell me at this hour, as I present to you my Credentials as Ambassador of Israel. In a very profound way, this ceremony is the culmination of a long and often challenging journey, started as a young boy in a Europe ravaged by the horrors of world war. Throughout my journey I have always sought to serve my people and country, and, it is in this spirit I take up, with your permission, Mr. President, my duties in your nation's capital.

As a diplomat, as a long-standing Member of Knesset, and as a former Chairman of its Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, I have visited Washington often. And like all Israeli travelers to your vast country I am struck by your people's hospitality and friendship, the ethic of your generosity and commitment to the eternal values of democracy and freedom. Israel shares these values and through our common interests has formed with America a kinship that spans oceans and continents and transcends politics and parties.

This above all, has enabled Israel, time and again, to seek out your good offices in our pursuit of peace with all our Arab neighbors. The challenge of peace necessitates decisions of destiny and when margins of risk are narrow and our survival can be an issue, it is but natural that differences might arise. But, never have we doubted or called into question, the fundamental commitment of America to the security and well-being of Israel and its right to a secure peace with its Arab neighbors.

It was my privilege, Mr. President, to have played a part in the initial peace negotiations with Egypt under the late Prime Minister Menachem Begin and then to have served as Israel's first Ambassador to Cairo. The sense of mission I felt then, abides with me still and it is to this I shall dedicated myself during my tenure in Washington.

Indeed, my brief is to do whatever my Embassy might accomplish to enable the continuation of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority on the basis of reciprocity and to move ahead towards the final status negotiations. I shall similarly endeavor to assist in any way possible to advance a meaningful negotiation with Syria and Lebanon in the spirit of my government's policy to broaden the circle of peace with the whole Arab world and the rest of the countries of the Middle East.

I shall endeavor as best as I might to contribute to the already intimate dialogue that exists between yourself and Prime Minister Netanyahu, between our two governments and indeed between our two peoples. I shall strive to interpret points of policy and fortify understanding whenever necessary to help pursue our common goals and objectives.

In this context, Mr. President, I shall give of my best to promote the cooperation between our countries in the relentless fight against the perpetrators of terror inspired by regimes who creed is founded on tyranny and intimidation. Israel considers you, Sir, to be in the forefront of this effort and salutes you for your farsightedness, moral posture and courage.

Finally, Mr. President, I shall render whatever service I can to promote even further the already existing close bilateral relations, not least in the area of economic cooperation. As stated by Prime Minister Netanyahu in his address to the Joint Session of Congress last July, the United States has given Israel, apart from political and military support, generous assistance in the economic sphere. We are grateful for what we have received from the United States, and there can be no greater tribute to America's long-standing economic aid to Israel than being able to achieve economic independence.

I come to Washington from Jerusalem, the capital of Israel past, present and future, never again to be divided and to remain accessible for the freedom of worship to all who cherish her. The saga of Jerusalem's development in this past half century is extraordinary and reflects our rebirth as a sovereign nation in our ancient homeland. This has been accomplished through sacrifice and determination, as well as through our alliance with the United States.

Israel has yet to meet all of her goals, and many challenges lie ahead. Nevertheless, the democratic society we have fashioned, the rule of law we have sanctified, the land we have cultivated, the kinsmen we have gathered in, the graves we have dug, the tears we have shed because of them, the persistent quest for peace and security -- all these pass before me in my recollection as I present to you now, Mr. President, my Letter of Credence.

I do so with much personal humility and great national pride.