Thank you Ralph for your introduction. Allow me to thank Chilick Assia, the Director General of The Israel Export Institute, and Raanan Dynur the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Trade, Commerce & Labor, Bill Skipper, Rob Hartwell and all his staff at the American Business Development Group. I would also like to thank all the leaders from the high-tech and security sectors that are in attendance today as well as the many political and economic leaders that are participating in this important event. This turnout shows how important the issue of Homeland Security is for us all.

I would be happy if Israel did not have to have any experience in Homeland Security issues and threats, but unfortunately, history is different. Even before the establishment of the State of Israel, we worked hard in defending our homeland, and since then we have continuously faced Palestinian terror and challenges to our security and well-being. For us, homeland security is a daily interest and it is at he top of our agenda. Our small but vibrant democracy stands at the forefront of the war on terror.

It is most important for us to share this experience and related technologies and methodologies with freedom-loving countries and especially with the United States - our best friend and closest ally.

But this is not just a one-way street. For many years, and particularly since the tragic events of 9/11, U.S. companies have been working tirelessly on Homeland Security technologies. We in Israel are interested to learn from your experience and to cooperate with you, especially through joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Whether in protecting our airplanes from missiles and hijack threats, our airports, ports, and borders from unwanted intruders, or even our city centers, schools and fresh water resources. These are challenges that are today faced by the entire world. But it is clear that by joining forces using the best of our human and technological qualities, we can rise to these challenges and succeed in providing security to our homeland, safety to our citizens and to people worldwide. For these are tasks in which we must succeed.and we will! This is why this event is so important and so timely.

I am hopeful that today's events were a good way to establish contacts that will, I am sure, prove to be fruitful. I wish you all the best of luck.