'Yom Haatzmaut celebrates two miracles'

As nation starts rejoicing, PM sends message to Diaspora Jews.

netanyahu with kipa 311 (photo credit: GPO)
netanyahu with kipa 311
(photo credit: GPO)
"Israel’s Independence Day celebrates a double miracle in the life ofthe Jewish people," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in apersonal statement to the Jewish communities of the Diaspora releasedMonday, on the eve of Yom Haatzmaut.
"The first miracle is the restoration of Jewish sovereignty.  There isno other example that I know of in the history of nations in which ascattered people, practically left for dead, has been able to re-assertits national life," the prime minister stated as the nation made thetransition from mourning its fallen soldiers to celebrating its62nd year of independence.
"The second miracle is what we’ve done since the establishment of theJewish state. Israel is fast becoming a regional economic power and oneof the world’s leading technological powers. All the powers ofcreativity and genius in the Jewish people are bursting forth in everyarea: in science; in technology; in medicine; in the arts," Netanyahucontinued.
"This great burst of creativity promises a great future for the Jewish people and for all mankind," he said.
Netanyahu stressed that the "double miracle" of Israel's existence,sovereignty and development was "a testament to the life-force of theJewish people. It’s a testament to the deep wells of hope we carryinside us and to the deep connection that we have both to our past andto our future."
In an optimistic finish, the prime minister stated that "the twomiracles that have already occurred are only the beginning.  If westand together, if we remain committed to our common destiny, there’snothing we cannot achieve."