1 Sep 2010
Jewish New Year 5771

Message from the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, to the
Jewish Communities in the Diaspora on the occasion of the Jewish New Year
5771

As we embark on the New Year, hope for peace appears tangible. While we
focus on the summit meeting in Washington, we pray that it will lead to the
signing of a historic peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians, and
bring tranquility, prosperity and security to the peoples of the region.

With a common and better future in mind, the Jewish people in the Diaspora
and Israel must work together for the benefit of the generations to come and
a brighter tomorrow. In this context, it is imperative that a spirit of
brotherhood and a close bond with Israel continue to be a part of the Jewish
and Zionist education of Jewish youth in the Diaspora. I believe the first
hand experience provided by visits to Israel plays a significant role in
achieving this objective.

In a period when attempts to delegitimize Israel as a Jewish state are
relentless, it is essential that we, in Israel, and the Jewish people
throughout the world, jointly seek to thwart these efforts. We must mobilize
our forces to expose the lies and highlight the values of the Jewish people
through the ages, based on the Ten Commandments, as well as the moral and
ethical values that constitute the foundations of our country and our
people.

It is also vital that we stand alongside the international community in the
fight against fanatic leaders, armed with nuclear weapons, and who deny the
Holocaust and call for the destruction of the State of Israel.

In a world where science and technology rank high, Israel continues to stand
at the forefront of advances in this domain. Indeed, we are proud of
Professor Ada Yonath of the Weizmann Institute, who received the Nobel Prize
for Chemistry, and Professor Elon Lindenstrauss of the Hebrew University,
who was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal for Mathematics, for their
achievements and for bringing such credit to Israel and the Jewish people.

Our mission for the coming year is to strengthen our unity in matters that
affect the destinies and future of us all. We must work together in harmony
and reach agreements through dialogue. Solidarity, brotherhood, tolerance
and understanding are the foundations of a strong and secure family. We
cannot, and must not, allow disagreements to tear us apart. We must
collectively dedicate ourselves to the well-being of the Jewish people.

In this spirit, I convey my best wishes to our brethren throughout the world
for a year of peace, joy, good health and prosperity.

Shana Tova U'Metukah
Shimon Peres