Mar. 21 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 found here in Israel. This should be a hub for eration, you, the young people of Israel, must thriving regional trade and an engine for op- now claim its future. It falls to you to write the portunity. next chapter in the great story of this great na- Israel is already a center for innovation that tion. helps power the global economy. And I believe And as the President of a country that you that all of that potential for prosperity can be can count on as your greatest friend, I am con- enhanced with greater security, enhanced with fident that you can help us find the promise in lasting peace. the days that lie ahead. And as a man who’s Here, in this small strip of land that has been inspired in my own life by that timeless been the center of so much of the world’s his- calling within the Jewish experience, tikkun ol- tory, so much triumph and so much tragedy, am, I am hopeful that we can draw upon what’s Israelis have built something that few could best in ourselves to meet the challenges that have imagined 65 years ago. Tomorrow I will will come, to win the battles for peace in the pay tribute to that history: at the grave of Her- wake of so much war, and to do the work of re- zl, a man who had the foresight to see the fu- pairing this world. That’s your job. That’s my ture of the Jewish people had to be reconnect- job. That’s the task of all of us. ed to their past; at the grave of Rabin, who un- May God bless you. May God bless Israel. derstood that Israel’s victories in war had to be May God bless the United States of America. followed by the battles for peace; at Yad Vash- Toda raba. Thank you. em, where the world is reminded of the cloud of evil that can descend on the Jewish people NOTE: The President spoke at 4:37 p.m. In his and all of humanity if we ever fail to be vigilant. remarks, he referred to Osher Twito of Sderot, We bear all that history on our shoulders. Israel, who was wounded in a rocket attack on We carry all that history in our hearts. Today, February 9, 2008; former Prime Minister Ariel as we face the twilight of Israel’s founding gen- Sharon of Israel; and author David Grossman.

Remarks at a State Dinner Hosted by President of Israel in March 21, 2013

President Peres. I think that’s the President’s ian targets in Israel, including Sderot, that you remarks. Mr. President, can I read your have visited. From here, in the name of all of speech, if you want me to? [Laughter] They us, I want to convey our love to the inhabitants are mistaken. [Laughter] of the south around Gaza, who carry this heavy President Barack Obama, my dear friend, burden courageously and continue to plow let me say first of all, bravo. Bravo, President. their land, their—plant their trees, raise their It is my great pleasure to welcome you to- children. It is an inspiration to each of us. To- night. I was moved the way in which you spoke day the enemies of peace spoke in the only lan- to the hearts of our young Israelis. Our young- guage they know: the language of terror. I am sters, in time of need, are always willing to convinced that together, we shall defeat them. stand up and defend their country. Today you Dear Barack, your visit here is a historic have seen how much the same young people event. We are so happy to receive you and your long for peace. How enthusiastic they were, distinguished delegation. I am very glad to see how engaged they were, listening to the vision Secretary John Kerry, a reassured friend. John, of peace, which you beautifully delivered and I know you are and I know you will be success- moved the heart. ful. I’m not sure that the prophets have had Mr. President, this morning several rockets speechwriters—[laughter]—but if they had, I were shot from the Gaza Strip toward the civil- imagine Isaiah would have said—but actually,

226 Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 / Mar. 21 he has said on that occasion, and I’m quoting principles, that you have never surrendered to him—“How beautiful on the mountains are hopelessness. You stood and stand firmly by the feet of those who bring good news, who your vision. Your values serve your nation. proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who They serve our nation as well. proclaim salvation.” Well, you have to be satis- So I know that you will never stop to strive fied with my tired language; I cannot speak like for a better world, as you say today in a good him. [Laughter] Hebrew, tikkun olam. We have a rich heritage It is my privilege to present you with our and a great dream. As I look back, I feel that country’s highest honor: the Medal of Distinc- the Israel of today has exceeded the vision we tion. This award speaks to you, to your tireless have had 65 years ago. Reality has surpassed work to make Israel strong, to make peace pos- the dreams. The United States of America sible. Your Presidency has given the closest ties helped us to make this possible. between Israel and the United States a new Still, the path to tomorrow may be fraught height, a sense of intimacy, a vision for the fu- with obstacles. I believe that we can overcome ture. them by our determination and by your com- The people of Israel are particularly moved mitment. I’m convinced that you will do what- by your unforgettable contribution to their se- ever is necessary to free the world’s horizons curity: You are defending our skies. To you— and the skies of Jerusalem from the Iranian [inaudible]—in the domain of intelligence, threat. Iran denies the Shoah and calls for a which is the right way to preempt bloodshed. new one. Iran is building a nuclear bomb and The diplomatic and the military bonds be- denies it. The Iranian regime is the greatest tween us have reached an unprecedented lev- danger to the world peace. History has shown el. time and again that peace, prosperity, and sta- When I visit you in Washington, I thought in ble civil society cannot flourish when threats my heart, America is so great, and we are so and belligerency abound. small. I learned that you don’t measure us by Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the Iranian size, but by values. Thank you. When it comes people are celebrating their New Year, to values, we are you, and you are us. On occa- sions when we were alone, you stood with us so Nowruz. I wish them, from the depths of my we were not alone. We were alone together. heart, a happy holiday and a real freedom. We shall never forget it. Israel will seize any opportunity for peace. During your previous visit to Israel, you Being small, we have to maintain our qualita- asked me if I had any advice to offer. Well, it’s tive edge. I know that you responded and will not my nature not to let questions go unan- respond to it. The strength of Israel is its de- swered. [Laughter] So I suggested that, while fense forces. They afford us the ability to seek people say that the future belongs to the peace. And what America has contributed to young, it is the present that really belongs to Israel’s security is the best guarantee to end the young. Leave the future to me. I have time. the march of folly, the march of terror and [Laughter] bloodshed. I think I was right, because the moment you We watch with admiration the way you lead came into office, you immediately had to face the United States of America, the way you daunting and demanding challenges day in, stayed true, time and again, to your bonds of day out. I prayed that you would meet them friendship with us. Your commitment and with wisdom and determination, without losing deeds speaks volumes about the principles that hope, without allowing others to lose hope. guides America. To strive for freedom and de- The prayers were answered; after all, they mocracy at home, but also all over the world, came from Jerusalem, and they came to us as a you send the boys to fight for the freedom of great message. It is a tribute to your leader- others. What is uplifting is that the United ship, to the strength of your character, to your States brought freedom not only to its own

227 Mar. 21 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 people, but never stops, and never will stop, to right to believe—that peace is attainable. As help other people to become free. you felt today, I know, this is the deep convic- You represent democracy at its best. You tion of our people. With our resolve and your have deepened its meaning: namely, that de- support, dear Barack Obama, we shall win, and mocracy is not just the right to be equal, but it will happen. the equal right to be different. Democracy is Mr. President, I am privileged to bestow up- not just a free expression, but is self-expression on you the Medal of Distinction. It was recom- as well. mended by a committee of seven prominent You exemplify the spirit of democracy by Israeli citizens, headed by our former Chief of striving for justice and equality of opportunity Justice Meir Shamgar, and includes our former in the American society. As the world has now President Yitzhak Navon. It was my view and I become global and yet remains individual, and was glad to accept their recommendation. You you offer those principles. You have shown inspired the world with your leadership. Toda global responsibility and individual sensitivity. raba, Mr. President. Toda from a grateful na- On Monday night, Mr. President, we shall tion to a very great leader. celebrate Passover, the festival of freedom, the God bless America. God bless Israel. celebration of spring. The celebration of spring [At this point, the citation was read, and Presi- means our journey from the house of slaves to dent Obama received the medal. President the home of the free that started more than Peres then offered a toast.] 3,000 years ago. We remember it every year. We are commended to feel as though each of us President Obama. Thank you so much. Pres- personally participated in that journey. We shall ident Peres; Prime Minister Netanyahu and not forget where we came from. We shall re- First Lady Sara; distinguished guests and member always where we are headed to, which friends: This is a extraordinary honor for me, is to make the Promised Land a land of prom- and I could not be more deeply moved. And I ise: a land of freedom, justice, and equality. have to say, after the incredible welcome I’ve While reality calls for vigilance, Passover received over the past 2 days and the warmth calls to remain believers. Israel is an island in a of the Israeli people, the tribute from Presi- stormy sea. We have to make our island safe, dent Peres, the honor of this medal, I mean, as and we wish that the sea will become tranquil. you say, dayenu. We converted our desert into a garden. It was Now, I’m told that the Talmud teaches that achieved by the talents of our people and the you shouldn’t pronounce all the praises of a potential of science. What we have done, Mr. person in their presence. And, Mr. President, President, can be done all over the Middle if I praised all the chapters of your remarkable East, as you have rightly said tonight. Israel is life, then we would be here all night. [Laugh- described as a startup nation. The Middle East ter] So let me simply say this about our gra- can become a startup region. cious host. Mr. President, the State of Israel Dear President, you noted in your address has been the cause of your life: through bitter today that peace is the greatest hope for the wars and fragile peace, through hardship and human being. I share your vision. Your call to prosperity. You’ve built her. You’ve cared for reopen the peace process may pave the way for her. You’ve strengthened her. You’ve nurtured the implementation of the two-state solution the next generation who will inherit her. agreed by all of us, as you said: a Jewish state, Ben Gurion. Meir. Begin. Rabin. These gi- Israel; an Arab state, Palestine. ants have left us. Only you are with us still: a If I’m not wrong, next to you sits our Prime founding father in our midst. And we are so Minister, who was just reelected. He opened grateful for your vision, your friendship, but his address in the by reiterating his most of all, for your example, including the ex- commitment to the two-state solution. Dear ample of your extraordinary vitality. Every friends, I have seen in my life—I earned the time I see your President, I ask him who his

228 Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 / Mar. 21 doctor is. [Laughter] We all want to know the hate and to ignorance: Survivors would live and secret. love again. So with gratitude for your life and your ser- When the moment of Israel’s independence vice, and as you prepare to celebrate your 90th was met by aggression on all sides, it was un- birthday this summer—and since I’m starting clear whether this nation would survive. But to get pretty good at Hebrew—[laughter]—let with heroism and sacrifice, the State of Israel me propose a toast, even though you’ve taken not only endured, but thrived. And during 6 away my wine—[laughter]. Come on. Bring days in June and Yom Kippur one October, it another one. seemed as though all you had built might be How are you? lost. But when the guns fell silent, it was clear: Server. Here you are, sir. You’re welcome. “The nation of Israel lives.” President Obama. A toast. Ad me’ah ve’es- As I said in my speech earlier today, this sto- rim. L’chaim! ry—from slavery to salvation, of overcoming even the most overwhelming odds—is a mes- [President Obama offered a toast.] sage that’s inspired the world. And that in- cludes Jewish Americans, but also African Mmm, that’s good wine. [Laughter] Actual- Americans, who have so often had to deal with ly, we should probably get this out of the pho- their own challenges, but with whom you have tograph. All these people will say I’m having stood shoulder to shoulder. too much fun in Israel. [Laughter] Just a few more words, Mr. President. You African Americans and Jewish Americans mentioned that this medal is presented in rec- marched together at Selma and Montgomery, ognition of progress toward the ideals of equal- with carrying the Torah as they walked. ity and opportunity and justice. But I am mind- They boarded buses for freedom rides togeth- ful that I stand here tonight because of so er. They bled together. They gave their lives many others, including the example and the together: Jewish Americans like Andrew Good- sacrifices of the Jewish people. man and Michael Schwerner alongside African In a few days, as we do at every Seder, we’ll American James Chaney. break and hide a piece of matzoh. It’s a great Because of their sacrifice, because of the way to entertain the kids. Malia and Sasha, struggle of generations in both our countries, even though they are getting older, they still we can come together tonight, in freedom and enjoy it. And there are a lot of good places to in security. So if I can paraphrase the Psalm: hide it in the White House. [Laughter] But on They turned our mourning into dancing; they a much deeper level, it speaks to the scope of changed our sack cloths into robes of joy. our human experience: how parts of our lives And this evening, I’d like to close with the can be broken while other parts can be elusive; words of two leaders who brought us some of how we can never give up searching for the this joy. Abraham Joshua Heschel was things that make us whole. And few know this born in Poland and lost his mother and sister to better than the Jewish people. the Nazis. He came to America. He raised his After slavery and decades in the wilderness voice for social justice. He marched with Mar- and with Moses gone, the future of the Israel- tin Luther King. And he spoke of the State of ites was in doubt. But with Joshua as their Israel in words that could well describe the guide, they pushed on to victory. After the struggle for equality in America. “Our very ex- First Temple was destroyed, it seemed Jerusa- istence is a witness that man must live toward lem was lost. But with courage and resolve, the redemption,” he said, and “that history is not Second Temple reestablished the Jewish pres- always made by man alone.” ence. After centuries of persecution and po- Rabbi Joachim Prinz was born in Germany, groms, the Shoah aimed to eliminate the entire expelled by the Nazis, and found refuge in Jewish people. But the gates of the camps flew America, and he built support for the new open; there emerged the ultimate rebuke to State of Israel. And on that August day in 1963,

229 Mar. 21 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2013 he joined Dr. King at the March on Washing- darkness and doubt, may seem elusive. The ton. And this is what Rabbi Prinz said to the stories of our peoples teach us to never stop crowd: searching for the things—the justice and the peace—that make us whole. And so, as we go In the realm of the spirit, our fathers forward together with confidence, we’ll know taught us thousands of years ago that that, while our countries may be separated by a when God created man, he created him as great ocean, in the realm of the spirit, we will everybody’s neighbor. Neighbor is not a always be neighbors and friends. geographic concept. It is a moral concept. It means our collective responsibility for I very humbly accept this award, understand- the preservation of man’s dignity and in- ing that I’m accepting it on behalf of the Ameri- tegrity. can people, who are joined together with you. May God bless you, and may He watch over President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu, our two great nations. Thank you very much. friends: Our very existence, our presence here tonight, is a testament that all things are possi- NOTE: The President spoke at 8:15 p.m. at the ble, even those things that, in moments of President’s Residence.

Remarks at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem March 22, 2013

“Unto them I will give my house and within and how silence abetted a crime unique in hu- my walls a memorial and a name, an everlast- man history. ing name that shall not be cut off.” Here, we see their faces, and we hear their President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu, voices. We look upon the objects of their lives: Chairman Shalev, Rabbi Lau: Thank you for the art that they created, the prayer books that sharing this house, this memorial, with me to- they carried. We see that even as they had hate day. Thank you to the people of Israel for pre- etched into their arms, they were not numbers. serving the names of the millions taken from They were men and women and children—so us, of blessed memory, names that shall never many children—sent to their deaths because of be forgotten. who they were, how they prayed, or who they This is my second visit to this living memori- loved. al. Since then, I’ve walked among the barbed And yet here, alongside man’s capacity for wire and guard towers of Buchenwald. Rabbi evil, we also are reminded of man’s capacity for Lau told me of his time there, and we remi- good: the rescuers, the “righteous among na- nisced about our good friend, Elie Wiesel, and tions” who refused to be bystanders. And in the memories that he shared with me. I’ve their noble acts of courage, we see how this stood in the old Warsaw ghetto, with survivors place—this accounting of horror—is in the end who would not go quietly. But nothing equals a source of hope. the wrenching power of this sacred place, For here, we learn that we are never power- where the totality of the Shoah is told. We less. In our lives we always have choices: to could come here a thousand times, and each succumb to our worst instincts or to summon time our hearts would break. the better angels of our nature; to be indiffer- For here, we see the depravity to which man ent to suffering wherever it may be, whoever it can sink, the barbarism that unfolds when we may be visited upon, or to display empathy that begin to see our fellow human beings as some- is at the core of our humanity. We have the how less than us, less worthy of dignity and of choice to acquiesce to evil or make real our sol- life. We see how evil can, for a moment in emn vow: “Never again.” We have the choice time, triumph when good people do nothing to ignore what happens to others or to act on

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