“Dear friends,

It is a great pleasure and privilege to congratulate the American people on this joyous day, the celebration of your independence. The independence of the United States is a celebration for the entire free world. You were and you remain a beacon of hope for the values of freedom, peace and justice around the globe. You have shown that there is nothing more beneficiary than friends. Nothing more costly than animosities.

Your history is a history of giving. America is the greatest giver in modern history. A bastion of democracy and peace. In its last 237 years, America has been the most successful experiment in history. Because it is aimed at improving the human, civil and political condition of man. It became a Republic of human rights. It is still conducting an ongoing Exodus from the houses of slaves to lands of hope.

For us in Israel. For all Jewish communities in the Diaspora, you echo the calls of the Bible. The pilgrims who arrived to America on the Mayflower and the founding fathers who wrote the American Constitution, carried the vision of the prophets. To this very day. The same spirit guided the founders of the State of Israel. It became the foundations of our special bond. A relationship based on human dignity. On peace among nations.

Peace is a moral call from our Torah. It is also a political urgent need of our time. The defense and strategic relations between Israel and the U.S.A. has reached an unprecedented peak. We thank you.

The importance of the cause of peace was emphasized by the eloquent address of President Obama during his recent visit to Israel and underscored by the mission of Secretary Kerry. It demonstrates that the two state solution is accepted by the majority of the two peoples – Israelis and Palestinians. There is no realistic peaceful alternative to the two-state solution.

During his recent visit, President Obama injected a much needed dose of optimism in the future. On the one hand, in the pursuit for peace. And on the other, about the resolve to prevent Iran from becoming a threatening system. We and the Palestinians are different nations who are the children of the same father – Abraham.

President Obama is today the conductor of a world concert of composed differences. Seeking to merge them into a cohesive harmony. So democracy today is based not only on the right to be equal, but the equal right to be different. Being different is a right, not a sin. It is a critical Israeli interest to see Secretary Kerry succeed; his success is our success.

It is essential to maintain America’s role in the Middle East and its global leadership. Israel is and will be a “team player” in the American-led international coalition to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear capacity. We cannot allow for a regime driven by hegemonic ambitions to tear apart our region and its people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

An Israel, though small in size, will remain great in its commitment of friendship to America. Israel could not have a better friend than America.

We both respect the ancient Bible, and aspire to the modern march towards scientific innovation. A multitude of joint ventures have been launched this year and many more opportunities for cooperation lie ahead. Even in non-democratic countries it is possible to democratize the supply of food and health by scientific efforts.

It was proven by our countries and we are willing to offer our experience to our neighbors. They can greatly benefit from the same results as we did. And even though the U.S. has the strongest military in the world, it provided legions of good will to the West and the rest. Goodwill freed the world from hanging on power.

America was born in defiance of history. In defiance of distortions, injustice and violence. It is a slap in the face of the wrongdoers of human annals. America and Israel are first and foremost ideas.

Some countries are products of geo-political and historical circumstances. Yet you and we were conceived first of all as ideas. We were conceived as a commitment to improve the fate of man.

To build a better society.

And though it’s not always perfect, it is always a noble goal. Both our countries are on a moving journey to improve the world. Tikkun Olam. This journey goes on. Until the Promised Land becomes a Land of Promise.

G-d bless America. G-d bless Israel. And G-d bless peace.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)