Mr. President,

It is an honor and privilege to present to you my credentials as the Ambassador of Israel to the United States of America. On the occasion of Israel's jubilee year, we celebrate not only the saga of our people's redemption and independence, but also witness the great and enduring partnership forged between our two nations.

The United States and Israel, joined by unshakable bonds of friendship, common values and basic strategic interests, have stood together for half a century in the struggle for peace and security in the Middle East. We remain profoundly grateful for the ongoing support, commitment, and material assistance provided by the United States for the well being of Israel. We especially appreciate the proven commitment of the United States to Israel's security needs and the Administration's recognition that only Israel can determine its own security requirements. Having worked together to promote Israel's economic self-reliance, I am proud to return to my post in Washington at the threshold of a landmark agreement, initiated by my Government, on reducing U.S. economic aid to Israel.

Israel has developed and thrived despite the need to defend itself against a broad array of threats to its existence. While the United States has offered invaluable assistance in this endeavor, the existential dangers confronting Israel from near and far have not diminished. There are still those in our region who have not accepted Israel's right to exist. The proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons on mass destruction n the hands of extremist regimes post a fundamental threat to Israel as well as to the stability of the Middle East as a whole.

Iraq's efforts to erode the sanctions regime and Iran's nuclear and missile programs are grave challenges we must face together. At the same time, Israel remains vigilant in the face of continuing terrorism which is a major threat to the security of our citizens and the very fabric of the peace process.

Against this backdrop, the Israeli public debates the means by which to pursue the peace process. Transcending this debate, however, is the broad consensus and deep yearning for peace in Israel. While no government in Israel can afford to throw caution to the wind, we are determined to overcome the current impasse in the negotiations and launch final status talks as soon as possible. Israel strives to widen the circle of peace to include agreements with Lebanon and Syria in a comprehensive settlement. At the same time, it should be understood that the Jewish people, having suffered unparalleled persecution in this century, must place the highest priority on security concerns.

Israel's special relationship with the United States goes beyond the normal boundaries of international practice. Our unique partnership has withstood occasional differences of opinion and the vicissitudes of international politics for many years. Having previously served as Israel's Ambassador to the United States, let me assure you that I intend to utilize the experience at my disposal to reinforce mutual trust and enhance the U.S.-Israel relationship on the cusp of the new century.