In YouTube video, prime minister takes stock of previous year's achievements and extends best wishes for 5774
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday wished millions of Jews across the world a happy New Year in a video greeting published on YouTube.
"I want to wish Jewish communities around the world a very happy Rosh Hashanah. I hope the New Year will bring the Jewish people everywhere security, prosperity and peace," said the prime minister.
Netanyahu listed Israel's achievements of the Jewish calendar year of 5773 including successful elections and the forming of a new government, the recent launchingof the Amos 4 communication satellite, Israel's sustained economic growth despite the global downturn and student successes in Science and Computer Olympics.
"Of course we have many challenges too," noted Netanyahu. "We have to make sure that our economy continues to grow, that all Israelis enjoy the benefits of that economic growth and we also have external challenges."
Addressing regional issues, Netanyahu pledged Israel's commitment to advance peace with the Palestinians. "Not a ceremony, not an agreement that we celebrate for two minutes and then collapse. We want a real, genuine and enduring peace and this must be anchored in recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and in our security," he said.
About the situation in neighboring Syria, the prime minister reiterated that what was happening there is a "great tragedy," and that "while we’re not involved in the internal conflict in Syria, we will defend ourselves and if it is necessary, we will act with resolve to protect our people."
"We also see Iran continue to pursue its nuclear weapons program, and this poses a great threat to Israel, to the region, to the peace of the world. Iran’s nuclear program must be stopped. We simply cannot allow the world’s most dangerous regime to obtain the world’s most dangerous weapon. We already have enough indication of what this could do," added Netanyahu.
The prime minister concluded by stating that he had "no doubt that Jewish communities around the world will continue to stand by Israel, just as Israel will continue to be there for the Jewish people everywhere."
