Dearly gathered guests and attendees of this honorable forum,
I am happy to welcome you, today, to an event in which we mark the courageous and long friendship between the State of Israel and our greatest ally, the United States of America.
America's friendship was and remains vital to the State of Israel's existence and prosperity.
This friendship helped us contend with security and economic difficulties, and establish a thriving and prosperous country in the heart of the Middle East, a country that is the national homeland of the Jewish people, a Jewish and democratic state, a state that preserves its legacy and develops technology.
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The State of Israel is certainly younger, but we are proud to share our fundamental values with the United States, values of liberalism, equality and of course, democracy.
It is good for the obvious to be stated, and even written, from time to time: The United States is Israel's best friend and Israel's strongest and most important ally.
This is also an opportunity to thank the American people for the years of economic, diplomatic and military support, and for their help with bearing the burden of defense. Thanks to the alliance between Israel and the United States, Israel today is an island of security and progress, which ensures stability and security throughout the region while making contributions to the entire world in the fields of cyber, medicine, agriculture, security and the economy.
To my delight, the deep bond between the countries is not a political connection. Republicans and Democrats, Right and Left, absolutely everyone believes in the deep connection between the countries, the common values and shared commitments.
It was just one year ago that we gathered for a ceremony to mark the relocation of the US Embassy to the State of Israel's capital. The embassy's relocation was a landmark event in which the entire world witnessed the strength of the ties between us.
We are grateful to President Trump for taking the step of a courageous leader.
This historical step is of deep-rooted significance in the heart of every Jerusalemite. For 3,000 years, the Jewish people maintained allegiance to Jerusalem. For 3,000 years, we prayed for Jerusalem, and ever since the establishment of the State Israel 71 years ago, Jerusalem has been our capital.
Jerusalem is the heart of the State of Israel's sovereignty. Jerusalem is the home of the president of the State of Israel, Jerusalem is the home of the Israeli government, the home of the Knesset. Jerusalem is the home of the Supreme Court, and ever since President Trump's decision, Jerusalem is also the home of the American Embassy.
I hope that many other leaders and countries will follow in the president's steps and relocate their embassies to Jerusalem.
The State of Israel's commitment to Jerusalem is not just a commitment toward the history of the Jewish people, but a commitment to all the residents of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a tiny example of our ability as Jews and Arabs to coexist.
The embassy's relocation was a genuine step in deepening the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital after many years in which this was done by the American Congress, and I want to thank the many members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, for their love of and support for Israel.
Today, we can say that our friendship is stronger than ever. We are continuing to dream and tighten the ties between us for many years to come. We continue to lay the foundations that connect our peoples in such a way that will allow for our prosperity and mutual development, as well as for all those who live in the region.
I want to thank Israel Hayom publisher Dr. Miriam Adelson for her efforts to bolster the relationship between Israel and the United States, and Israel Hayom owner Sheldon Adelson for their love and support for the State of Israel.
I want to thank Israel Hayom Editor-in-Chief Boaz Bismuth for his journalistic work and for his commitment to publishing a daily newspaper with rich and fascinating content.
I would like to welcome and to thank former US Ambassador to the UN Ms. Nikki Haley. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Israel and to our capital Jerusalem. You are a dear friend of Israel. We appreciate your strong stand on the world's most important stage, in support of the security, of the people, and the State of Israel. And all you did, and still [are] doing – to stand up for the values of freedom and democracy, that we share. Welcome back to Israel, Welcome back to Jerusalem.
God bless you all.
