דברי הנשיא בקבלת פנים לסגל הדיפלומטי לכבוד יום העצמאות

Michal and I are delighted to welcome you to the President’s Residence to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, seventy-eight years of Israel’s Independence. 

This reception is a tradition that reaches back generations, which is why we insisted on hosting it  despite the somewhat unusual circumstances— in what some consider a somewhat unusual country!

Those of you who have had the opportunity to experience Israeli life- have gained insight into this peculiar, wondrous, and unique place –our beloved State of Israel. I imagine that the war, has further enabled you to appreciate the essence of this country, the resilience of our people, and the roots of our story.

Indeed, these are historic times we are living. Times of tectonic shifts in the Middle East, that I pray will usher in a hopeful future. This is a time in which the choices made by leaders and nations- even at this very moment- can shape our region, for generations to come.

I take this opportunity to thank President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America, for the unique partnership in confronting the Empire of Evil from Iran, and pursuing a historic change- and I welcome the representatives of the American Armed Forces here this morning.

 The war against Iran and its many proxies is not a war of choice. There comes a time in which a country must fight for itself, fight to defend its people and ensure their future. Iran aims to obliterate Israel- to dominate the Middle East to overthrow the values nurtured by the entire free world— so this is a battle for the future of all of our children!

Ladies and Gentlemen, when Israel's First President, Dr. Chaim Weizmann first hosted this reception in 1949- then in Tel Aviv, naturally, there was not a single diplomatic representative of an Arab or Muslim nation. But here today, we wholeheartedly welcome Diplomats from Arab and Muslim countries who represent the hope for peace and the fraternity to which we aspire. I pray we will see

more and more countries from our region normalizing relations with us. Already we are seeing that the partnerships we have forged to combat the axis of terror and extremism, are generating opportunities for a new alliance to take shape in our region: An alliance of responsibility, pragmatism, and hope.

Israel is eager to work with all of you, to help shape a Middle East in which all of our sons and daughters, can inherit opportunity— instead of fear. That they inherit the promises of tomorrow— and not the conflicts of yesterday.

I recently said to Israeli school kids that my dream is to get into a car and drive straight to Beirut, to visit that beautiful city. To befriend the good people of Lebanon, those who share a prayer with us, for a better future.

I salute the teams that will hopefully gather tomorrow in Washington, D.C., and wish them great success in pursuing peace between Israel and Lebanon. But in order to reach that point, Israel must ensure the safety of its borders.

Look around- the men and women who have prepared and served the beautiful food and beverages we are enjoying this morning, are from Israel's Northern border and from the Gaza border. They must be able to live peacefully and raise their children safely.

Finally dear friends, as I have said in private to many of your leaders and some of you as well – I will reiterate here, a small token of advice: Work with us Israelis. Talk to us Israelis. Instead of condemnations boycotts or sanctions, use the human tool of candid communication with us Israelis. It is the best way to bring about tangible results.

I also take this opportunity to affirm Israel's unequivocal commitment to full equality and respect for all religions and faiths, as well as our alignment with each of your countries to fight anti-Semitism together!

I want to conclude by thanking my good friend, Minister Gideon Saar and his dear wife Geula, Director General Eden Bar Tal Chief of State Protocol Ambassador Gil Haskel, and the excellent team at the Foreign Ministry, who works with my team all year long- with my Director General Eyal Shviki, my Chief of Staff Adaya Leibovich, and my excellent Advisor on Foreign Affairs Amit Zarouk and his team, who you know well.

I want to give special thanks to Oren Avraham and Yael Shubi, who head and lead our Events Department, for orchestrating such a beautiful event.

One year ago, many of you here were heavily engaged in the life saving diplomatic efforts to bring back our hostages. And today, in just a few minutes, we will have the privilege of hearing Alon Ohel, who was freed from captivity after 738 days, perform live, on Israel's 78^th year of Independence.

I pray that, Please God, when we all gather again next year, may we speak of the war only in the past tense, and enjoy the blessings of peace, in Israel, with our neighbors, near and far and all around the world. 

חג עצמאות שמח!

Happy Independence Day!