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The President of the Republic At the State Dinner in honour of the President of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr Moshe Katsav, Kadriorg Palace, September 19, 200519.09.2005
Honourable Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The state visit from Israel has been long-awaited and today's meetings have proved that this visit will provide new energy and good ideas for our continuing cooperation. It is symbolic that you visited the Tallinn Jewish School; just the same way as David Ben Gurion, a leader of Zionism and one of the founders of the State of Israel, did in 1933.
The relations between our people have longer history than the relations between our states. About four thousand years ago, our ancestors, both of Estonians and Jews, started their migration from the east towards the west and stopped when they reached the coast of sea, Estonians - the Baltic Sea, and Jews - the Mediterranean Sea.
The written historical records show that the first Jew in Mary's Land was a baker, Johannes Jode, had paid 5 marks to Tallinn town council in 1333. We also know that 178 Jews were fighting on the Estonian side in the War of Independence.
Through centuries our people had to endure both discrimination and violence. Manu Jews, having been caught up by brutal anti-Semitism in Europe and in Russia, have found a new home in Estonia. In 1925 the Act on Cultural Autonomy was adopted in Estonia and June 6, 1926 Jewish cultural autonomy was proclaimed. The activities of the Jewish community were interrupted during the years of Soviet occupation, and the Jewish Cultural Society was re-established in 1988.
The Jewish community in Estonia is not very big in size - about 3000 members, but we are proud of those people, as they have given an invaluable contribution to our development and have enriched the culture and spiritual life in Estonia. I know that you have visited the Jewish community today. Last year I had an honour to light the first candle on the occasion of Hannukah. I said then that fire joins people together, opens and cleanses their souls. Let that fire stay forever in the hearts of Jews, Estonians, and all the other people, joining people together and showing the way and light to the better future.
Mr. President,
Both our countries became independent during the last century. The Estonian state was established when there was no State of Israel yet. The State of Israel was established when occupied Estonia could not recognise it. But it clearly showed Estonians that independence is possible even in extremely complicated conditions. We respect Jewish people, who in spite of centuries-long persecution and shoa have managed to preserve their own language, culture and religion. Only the nation who is strong and self-determined is capable of doing it.
The world will never forget the tragedy caused by World War II and Holocaust. It is our shared tragedy that some most grave crimes were committed on the territory of Estonia. It is also our shared tragedy that Estonians could not protect the people who lived here, as well as could not secure independence of the state. We remember our past and we tell our children about it, not only on the Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27. Neither should we forget the crimes committed by the Soviet regime, the victims of which were Estonians, Jews, as well as people from other nationalities.
It is regrettable that 60 years after the end of World War II anti-Semitism has not yet been swept away. On the state level we have to respond efficiently to every single case of anti-Semitism. Instigation of ethnic animosity must be punished in every democratic country. We are convinced that also small nations can determine their history and have to decide about their future themselves. We both understand that democracy has to be protected and developed, and the best way to do it is together with friends and partners.
The EU and NATO accessions were very important landmarks for Estonia. We have returned back to democratic values, we are back in Europe. Membership in those organisations has opened new possibilities for Estonia, including the relations with geographically distant states. I am confident that the Estonian-Israeli relations can benefit from the EU Neighbourhood Policy, especially our economic relations, as the European Union is among the biggest trade partners for Israel.
Estonia follows closely and with sympathy developments in the Middle East. We believe that lasting peace will be established also in Israel and Palestine. We support the steps taken by Israel in the Middle East Peace Process, and we welcome the determined activity of Israel in withdrawing settlements from Gaza and the West. We know the people of Israel as determined and dedicated people who are ready to sacred compromises in the name of peace and future of the State of Israel. I am confident that the day will come when the states of Israel and Palestine will coexist in peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding.
Honourable President,
One of the founders of the State of Israel, an outstanding politician and a wise woman, Golda Meir has written in her memoirs: "How do I imagine our future? I see a Jewish state that cooperates with its neighbours for the benefit of all the people of the region. I see Israel, which remains to be a flourishing democracy, a society firmly based on social justice and equality.... Let there be no doubt that our children and grandchildren would ever be content with anything less."
I believe that all people, also Estonians, desire such future for themselves.
Allow me to raise this glass to the honour and prosperity of the State of Israel and its people. To your health! Shalom!
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