Our History, Our Present, Our Future
Eyla Benedykt
Great Diplomatic Advances
Jonathan Touboul
Understanding the Miracle
Joe Ozer
Former Enemies are Friends
Michael Grauss
A Global Superstar
Saul Kisel
Our History, Our Present, Our Future
Eyla Benedykt
Israel Bonds
Representative, Brazil
The Jewish community around the world is extremely diverse. However, amid so many ideas, opinions, traditions, and differences, we share a common treasure: the State of Israel—the place where all hearts become one, where we can celebrate life, freedom, achievements, and dreams.
Despite being a considered young nation, Israel carries a lot of historical and cultural baggage. Every centimetre of the country reveals our history, demonstrates our present and, above all, points to the possibility of designing our future. During its seventy-five years of existence, Israel has proven that nothing is impossible if we work hard and believe in our potential. We have managed to make a desert fertile, create an extremely strong and humanitarian army, welcome different cultures, become a technological hub and continue to cherish religious freedom.
We have a duty to set a positive example
I also emphasize the responsibility we have to be ohr l’goyim—a light on to the nations. We have a duty to set a positive example, transmitting our knowledge, humanitarianism, and persistence. The creation of the state of Israel is one of the most important milestones in contemporary Jewish history, a symbol of the perseverance and dreams of our ancestors, the unconditional unity of the world Jewish community and the affirmation that Am Israel Chai!
It is an honor to participate in the history of our country and everything it represents. We dedicate these seventy-five years to those who unfortunately cannot be present at this very special moment, to those who write our history today and to the next generations, who will certainly grow with this legacy.
Mazal Tov, Israel!
Great Diplomatic Advances
Jonathan Touboul
Israel Bonds
Executive Director, France
After two years of pandemic and restrictions, it is once again possible to exchange visits and goods between Israel and the rest of the world. From France as well as from other Diaspora communities, many people have now been able to return to their families in Israel or to travel to France. And this ease of movement and increase in trade has helped to revitalize certain sectors of the Israeli economy.
However, during its 75th anniversary year, Israel must also solve problems of unprecedented magnitude, such as the decline in purchasing power and the strength of the shekel, which negatively affects exports.
But despite these challenges, many international and regional elements point to a greater collaboration between Europe, France and Israel for the year ahead.
Indeed, Europe is facing a new problem highlighted by the outbreak of war in Ukraine: security issues. Israel, which has great experience in the field of defence, could transcend political differences to establish new economic ties with France and Europe quite quickly in 2023.
It is likely that 2023 will see the normalization of Israel's relations with more of its neighbours.
In the same way, the adoption by France of a more rigorous position toward Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons in 2023 could lead to a reinforced cooperation with Israel.
It is also important to acknowledge the great diplomatic advances acquired as a result of the Abraham Accords. It is likely that 2023 will see the normalization of Israel's relations with more of its neighbours, which would be in line with the agreement on the maritime border that Israel negotiated with Lebanon— and that France supported.
Both France and Israel held elections in 2022, giving us hope for an increased development of projects between France and Israel in the coming year. Indeed, this 75th anniversary starts with greater political stability, which bodes well for further economic development with France.
French companies such as Alstom, EDF, Decathlon, and Carrefour are all setting up in Israel. I hope that Israeli companies will also set up shop in France, which has not been the case for many years. French firefighters carry out joint exercises with Israeli firefighters and these initiatives are multiplying. The French Economic Observatory has noticed that trade between France and Israel had been stagnating for many years but that 2023 should mark a
turning point.
This 75th anniversary year carries lots of optimism in spite of the challenges mentioned above. So beyond wishing for a prosperous year ahead, I’d like to suggest a few basic guidelines for the good health and happiness of the most fragile among us.
Since the pandemic, we have seen a big difference between people who aged well and those who aged poorly. Interestingly, often factors related to physical health do not explain these situations. It has been shown by different studies that the quality of social relationships impacts the physical health of the most fragile. People become isolated either voluntarily, or because of the breakdown of their networks of close friends and family. And isolated elderly people have a higher rate of morbidity than those who are surrounded by friends.
So just as Israel has recently made strides in breaking the diplomatic and economic isolation that the country has experienced for decades, let's take look around us as well to see how we can modestly break the isolation of our beloved elderly.
Best wishes to all for the year 2023!!!
Understanding the Miracle
Joe Ozer
Israel Bonds
Executive Director, United Kingdom
This year, our beloved Israel is turning three quarters of a century old. For over a thousand years, a return to the land of our ancestors was merely a pipe dream, but the will of our modern nation’s founding mothers and fathers found a way.
Understanding the miracle of the last seventy-five years of existence means understanding that there is a huge synergy for the State of Israel with the Jewish diaspora. Jews as well as some non-Jews around the world have actively fought to keep the dream of the Jewish state alive just as devotedly as those living within her borders have fought to defend Israel itself.
There is always a place to call home.
When we understand that, it’s easy to see how the next seventy-five years will play out. Israel has worked so very hard at forging new relationships with her neighbours. Israel is responsible for so much innovation not just in its region, but in the world. Israel is responsible for providing comfort to Jewish populations around the world — the comfort of knowing there is always a place to call home – even when you don’t live there, and a sense of belonging that allows us to thrive in our own right and give back to the communities that we live in. Israel will never stop giving the Diaspora all of this and more in the days, months, years and centuries ahead.
Former Enemies are Friends
Michael Grauss
Israel Bonds
Executive Director, Germany
Israel has changed a lot over the decades. I remember that during my childhood in the 70’s, when I spent a lot of time with my grandparents in Tel Aviv, we would walk around the city and my grandfather would buy some sabras—prickly pears and garinim—sunflower seeds. We passed by his synagogue and continued towards the beach.
There were not so many cars on the streets as today and it seemed to me that the people were less stressed then. I have great memories of Israel from that time.
I also remember that every time we went to Israel to visit family, we would bring them coffee, Nutella, and other goods that were either very expensive or not available in Israel.
Infrastructure was being continuously improved and one of the biggest problems, the water shortage, was solved.
When I grew older, I noticed that Israel was constantly evolving and becoming more and more developed. Infrastructure was being continuously improved and one of the biggest problems, the water shortage, was solved. Today, Israel has more water than it needs due to the construction of several desalination plants, has found large gas fields at her shores, and also has developed alternative solar energy facilities, which guarantee the energy supply of the country.
The security of Israel has always been a central issue since the land of milk and honey, until recent years, has been totally surrounded by enemy countries. But this problem is also moving forward in the right direction.
The IDF and the Iron Dome on one hand, and the Abraham Accords on the other are protecting Israel while opening relations with former enemy countries, who now have become new partners.
The only Jewish state in the world has managed to become a light unto the nations.
This year, Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary: Her citizens and supporters around the world can be proud of the achievements of this miraculous country.
A Global Superstar
Saul Kisel
Israel Bonds
CFO, Development Company for Israel (International) Ltd.
Executive Director, Mexico
In the last seventy-five years, the State of Israel has accomplished a great deal. It has emerged as a thriving democracy in a region that has seen much turmoil. It has become a source of inspiration for people around the world.
Since the early years of the state, Israel has faced many obstacles. Yet, through it all, the young nation has maintained its independence, its democracy, and its commitment to human rights.
Israel is our bond.
Today, the State of Israel is a thriving country with a strong economy. It has a well-educated population and a
rich culture.
Israel is one of the world’s most vibrant and highly successful democracies and is protected by a powerful military. It has a strong economy and is home to a talented and increasingly prosperous population. It is a vital and essential sector of the world’s political and economic systems as well as its security system, as it is a frontline state in the global battle against terrorism. It is also essential to global culture, as it is home to such a significant population of scientists and intellectuals. In short, it is a model for the world that should be emulated by other nations.
We are able to live with the freedom we have because we have Israel.
As we approach to Yom Ha´atzmout, we were talking at a family dinner about the importance of Israel, and two questions arose:
First, why do so many people love Israel? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, and there’s much to admire. Some love the prominent historical and religious significance of the country, while others appreciate its natural wonders and beauty. Some appreciate Israel's democracy, while others value its strong economy. And of course, perhaps, all of the above. But there is something else, difficult to describe: Israel is our identity, Israel unites us, we are all brothers and sisters there. Israel is our bond.
Second: why is Israel important to the Diaspora Jews? Simple— It is our homeland. As Hannah Senesh once said: “There is one place in the world to which you do not escape, nor do you immigrate, you come home – the Land of Israel.” We need to understand that we are able to live with the freedom we have because we have Israel. Without a strong Israel, nothing would be the same. Whoever thinks otherwise has not learned their share of our history.
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