The State of Israel - 08.11.02

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
MR. MOSHE KATSAV
TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITIES ON THE OCCASION OF 
ROSH HASHANNAH 2002 - 5763

Dear Friends,

The uniform Jewish calendar is one of the important and central factors uniting the life of the Jewish People in Israel and throughout the Jewish world, including all its tribes and streams.

The past year has been a difficult one for the Jewish People. The continued brutal and merciless terror attacks throughout Israel, on the one hand, and the anti-Semitic occurrences, especially in Europe, on the other, bring back painful memories of the past.

The State of Israel is obligated to protect its citizens. Regrettably, the right of self defense is sometimes criticized in world capitals. No country in the world can ignore such vicious attacks on its citizens. We are, unfortunately, facing waves of violence, after prolonged negotiations in which we made far-reaching compromises in order to attain peace, while the Palestinians did not honour their obligations. We are not a nation desiring war and vengeance. We wish to live in peace and security.

The solidarity rallies with Israel by Jewish communities throughout the world and, especially, visits to our country, lift our spirit. We thank the Jewish communities for their expressions of support.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish you, your families, the Jewish People and all humanity, a happy and blessed New Year, a year of peace and security, a year of tranquility and calm.

My hopes for us all are expressed in the traditional New Year wish, "May we leave the past year with its hardships behind us and may a New Year full of blessings begin."

Sincerely,

Moshe Katsav