In a message of peace for the new year, President Shimon Peres expressed his hopes for tranquility and understanding, in a Rosh Hashana video message posted on his Facebook page on Thursday.
"Lets pray that the next year will be a year of peace, tranquility, understanding and creativity with the Jewish world and in the Middle East, and all other places," he said. "This is the greatest blessing for our children," Peres added.
The president received a phone call from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday evening,in which his counterpart wished him a happy holiday and a happy new year.
President Shimon Peres thanked Abbas for his blessing and said, "I know the past year was a difficult year, but we must not give up... we must continue to strive for peace."
Abbas stressed to Peres that the Palestinian people also yearn for peace.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz also released a High Holy Day video Rosh Hashana in which he said that the new year is a good opportunity to reflect on the year that passed and look ahead to the coming year.
"I can assure you that in the past year the IDF worked around the clock to protect Israel," he stated.
"On the northern front we stood guard in challenging areas. On the southern border we reacted quickly to infiltrations and saved countless lives," he continued.
"As chief of staff I can say that the IDF has never been stronger than today. We are always ready, always on guard, always looking out for the security of the people of Israel," Gantz asserted.
The chief of staff wished the entire Jewish people in Israel and around the world a "happy new year, chag sameach and shana tova."