israel's identity

identity and mission

The State of Israel's identity, mission and present condition

"This right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State. Accordingly we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state... based on the principles of freedom, justice and peace... it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants..."(Israel's Declaration of Independence).

Hebrew is therefore our official language, Shabbat our day of rest, the Jewish festivals our holidays, Hatikva our national anthem, and the Star of David our emblem. Israel's democratic constitution, drawing on traditional Jewish values, ensures the basic human rights of all its citizens.

"The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people... Impelled by this traditional and historic attachment, Jews strove in every successive generation to re-establish themselves in their ancient homeland "(Declaration of Independence). Hence our historical right to attract Jewish immigrants and settle all parts of our country.

It is our sacred obligation to protect our independence with minimum outside help; cultivate our Jewish heritage; ensure a substantial Jewish majority; and reinforce mutual Jewish responsibility the world over.

The establishment of Israel is an act of human and national justice. With the mounting danger to Israel's survival, our security needs over shadow the claims of those not similarly threatened.

 The Islamic radicals threaten Israel with the use of atomic bombs, in addition to their persistent terrorist assaults. Anti-Semitism is spreading everywhere. Our dispute with the Arabs is not about territories but about Israel's right to exist, in view of the fact that the Palestinians claim all of the Land of Israel. Military campaigns and political agreements can improve matters only in the short term. It is basically on our choice of values, way of life and standard of leadership that our future actually depends.