Peres sends Rosh Hashana greetings to the nation

President condemns all forms of extremism, discrimination, says greater emphasis must be placed on education toward tolerance.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
President Shimon Peres in holiday greeting 370 (photo credit: Screenshot)
President Shimon Peres in holiday greeting 370
(photo credit: Screenshot)
President Shimon Peres sent New Year’s greetings to the nation before Rosh Hashana with best wishes for peace and security, stability and growth.
Disturbed by recent outbreaks of racial and religious discrimination, Peres declared that there is no room for racism or violence of any kind in the country, and condemned all forms of extremism and discrimination based on race, religion or political affiliation.
Israel is a pluralistic society of many shades, a society of Jews, Christians, Muslim Arabs, Beduin, Druse and Circassians who live together in coexistence.
All incidents of discrimination must be dealt with by the legal authorities, Peres stated, and greater emphasis must be placed on education towards tolerance and equality.
Click for more JPost High Holy Day features
Click for more JPost High Holy Day features
On Thursday, the president received a telephone call from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas who conveyed his good wishes for the New Year to all Israeli citizens, and emphasized that just as the people of Israel yearn for peace, so do the Palestinians. He expressed the hope that there would be progress in the stalled peace process in the year ahead.
In his own message to the nation, Peres wrote that the State of Israel is in itself a miracle and proof of the ability to overcome all odds.
With the realization that Israel lacked natural resources, Peres said, came the determination to make the most of human resources and a courageous spirit.
Israel invested its efforts in science and technology, which impacted all aspects of life. As a result, Israel has one of the best armies in the world, a flourishing economy, a democratic administration, social security and academic excellence. Israel combines that rare quality of being both the People of the Book and the Start-up Nation, Peres stated.