en_כתביו-הר הרצל

Ceremony of Torch Lighting on Mount Hertzel 1973

Speech of Speaker of Knesset Israel Yeshayahu

The memorial day for our fallen soldiers in Israel’s battles, our heroes and our saviors, is about to end and soon we will be in the midst of the 25^th anniversary of our redemption and independence. Memorial Day and Independence Day are tightly linked to each other since, if not for the heroism, the strength of spirit and the sacrifice of our dear ones, the unforgettable warriors, we would have nothing to celebrate. We neither waged nor initiated wars. We wanted to put an end to the curse of our exile and dispersion among foreign nations. We wanted to build here, in the land of our forefathers, a home of our own where we could live a life of peace, honor and freedom. However, enemies rose against our revival. The 75 years that preceded the establishment of the State were imbued with endeavors of peace and construction but, also, with conspiracies, attacks on our settlements and bloodshed of Jews throughout the country. And, when the Unite Nations, 25 years ago, resolved we had a right to a Jewish State in Eretz Israel, the Arab Nations resolved to destroy it. In a bloody, yet glorious war of independence, the invading armies were defeated and the State of Israel was born.

Even after the establishment of Israel, aggression continued and wars were imposed upon us – The Sinai Campaign and the Six-day War.

In all these wars the Israel Defense Force prevailed and, unfortunately, many of our soldiers fell in battle. Yet, still, our enemies continue to prepare for war against us and to declare their wish to totally eliminate the State of Israel and its citizens. Recently, they transferred their schemes and murderous plots further a field to foreign countries, including transportation by air and by sea, and atrociously attacked us in LOD airport, Munich and elsewhere.

Due to the resourcefulness and courage of our men, the terrorists were and will be punished wherever we can reach them.

On the eve of the festivities and in view of renewed dangers and lofty missions, let us be blessed with our achievements during the past 25 years of our existence. Survivors of the extermination camps in Europe and Jews of Arab countries have come to the State of Israel. There are but a few who are still oppressed and imprisoned in Syria and in Iraq. During the past three years, when we were about to lose hope, a crack was exposed in the iron curtain that separated us from the large Jewish community in Russia. The ALIYAH that came from there re-ignited the flame of our faith in the Return to Zion.

And this land, which was desolate and neglected with a sparse population, is developing at a pace that surpasses the imagination. New towns were built and veteran cities were expanded and renovated. Jerusalem is constantly being built to become a real Capital City, fit for a king. Our fields and our orchards grant us yields and crops to sustain us and still there is enough to export to world markets. An extensive, innovative industry is developing, including scientific enterprises. Roads are paved throughout the country. Schools, institutes of higher education, culture and social services develop and flourish. A genuine, sound and self confident Israeli society is being forged out of individual immigrants and scattered ethnic groups, in line with the past and the future of our nation. The Jewish People in the Diaspora support Israel and lend us a helping hand at all times.

However, our task has not yet ended. All these activities are still in the process of being implemented.

Amidst these achievements, various problems evoke and oblige us to find solutions to the needs of the people. For example, bridging the gap between rich and affluent populations and those who barely make ends meet, welcoming our OLIM brethren with an open heart and alleviating their absorption process, Being pedantic regarding ethics and efficiency in public services etc. It is the wish of us all, people and government alike, to lead a proper and healthy life, based on values of justice, social welfare and integrity. Just as we succeeded until now to overcome obstacles and to solve our problems, so shall we succeed in the future as well.

On the eve of the festivities, marking the 25^th anniversary of our country, let us all recite the blessing of SHEH-HEHYANU and repeat the words of the poet who wrote in 1949 “(Blessed art Thou, our God) Who Have kept us in life and Have preserved us, and enabled us to reach these times, the utmost aspiration of every prophet, the utmost yearning of every visionary, that this is not a dream or a figment of the imagination but a vision that is real”

I hereby proclaim the opening of the celebrations marking the 25^th anniversary of The State of Israel. This is the day granted to us by God, Let us all rejoice!