NASA Launch
January 16, 2003

This is such an exciting time for us --- for Americans, and especially for Israelis. Ilan is the first Israeli astronaut to be sent into space - and he makes us so proud.

Not only does this exemplify the great cooperation between the U.S. and Israel in technology, science, and trade, it actively demonstrates the strong friendship and respect we two countries have for each other. Americans and Israelis share the vibrant ideals of freedom for all, respect for mankind, and we are brave and valiant peoples in our fight for democracy.

Ilan makes us proud because he is a living testament of the resilience, tenacity, and determination of the Jewish people and Israel - of our endeavors to overcome tragedy as his parents did, surviving the Holocaust and helping to build our nation. And, in spite of ongoing war and terror, how Israel continually strives to develop new means of helping all mankind. Ilan is an integral part in this. He will be carrying a drawing by Petr Ginz, a boy who died in the Holocaust. It depicts the earth as seen from the moon. So are we closing a circle - from the lowest ebbs of inhumanity, we are soaring up to achieve great things.

Ilan will be conducting a scientific project called MEDEX, Mediterranean Israel Dust Experiment, while in space, where he will study the effects that the desert has on weather and climate in our area of the world. His research will have a significant influence on environmental issues in the Middle East, and help us improve the future for all peoples in our region.

We use a positive expression that "the sky's the limit." We are grateful to the United States, and to NASA for their cooperation with the Israel Space Agency, and for this opportunity to go beyond the limit - and explore new skies.

We wish Ilan and his six American crew members much success and "nesia tova." God bless you and may you go in peace.