Mr. President;
We welcome you to Israel with the words of prophet Isaiah:
מַה-נָּאווּ עַל-הֶהָרִים רַגְלֵי מְבַשֵּׂר, מַשְׁמִיעַ שָׁלוֹם מְבַשֵּׂר טוֹב–מַשְׁמִיעַ יְשׁוּעָה
We greet you as a great friend –
You towered at moments of need;
You paved the road to peace.
We embrace you as the leader of a great nation, which –
Once having secured its freedom –
Never tired of providing it to others.
We take your advice to not underestimate the Iranian threat.
Iran should not underestimate our resolve for self defense.
Your visit is on the eve of the sixth decade of our historic re-birth.
We were attacked seven times –
We never lost a war;
We never lost desire for peace.
We never postponed a moment of democracy.
United States supported us in war and peace.
I can say wholeheartedly: “thank you Mr. President”.
Your speech of February 2002 introduced consensus when you said:
“My vision is of two states living side by side in peace and security”.
Then it seemed remote.
Now it is the basis for negotiations.
Peace can move forward on three tracks:
Political – creating a frame of two states;
Economic – raising quality of life across borders;
Security – stopping the madness of Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
On your way here you said that 2008 should be the path-way from words to action, from aspiration to reality.
Indeed, the next twelve months will be a moment of truth.
It must not yield just words.
The days ahead are fateful:
If time is not utilized for peace-making –
Destructive armament, belligerence, and terror will capture center stage.
Wars are never too late,
Peace is never too early.
We have no right to miss this opportunity.
Isaiah said:
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brigeth good tiding;
That publishes peace;
That bringeth good tidings of food;
That publisheth salvation;
Mr. President,
Welcome to the gates of Jerusalem!
BreuerPress
