The very embodiment of Zionism

Just over a week ago, we marked the 125th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897, reminding ourselves once again of the magnitude and historical significance of those events. Five years later, in his seminal novel "The Old New Land," Theodor Herzl outlined a grand vision. Some might have deemed it overly ambitious, and indeed, looking back today, it is difficult to suppress a smile. As a product of a classical European upbringing, Herzl sought to bring Europe itself—with its distinct identity, culture, and progressivism—to the Middle East. Like many early Zionist theorists and statesmen, he regarded this as the key to peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding with the local Arab population. However, when it came to practical implementation, real-world developments aligned closely with the trajectory of Zionist aspirations. The fundamental truth remains undeniable: Herzl's vision was profoundly accurate.

The Zionist enterprise was successfully transformed into a modern democratic state. As a consummate European and a journalist by profession, Herzl undoubtedly envisioned a professional and independent press in Israel.

Today, we celebrate the anniversary of one of Israel's oldest periodicals—The Jerusalem Post—founded just a few decades prior to the declaration of independence of the Jewish state.

It is a privilege to congratulate The Jerusalem Post and its leadership on this milestone. I wish to commend the exceptional work of its journalists and their collective contribution to Israeli democracy, as well as their role in advancing the Jewish state's interests abroad through credible and timely reporting on events in Israel and the Middle East.

An independent press, objective criticism, and the presentation of unbiased perspectives reflecting the entire political spectrum are the hallmarks of a healthy democratic system. We are fortunate to possess these values in Israel, and we must safeguard them. By ensuring the independence of the media and the survival of publications like The Jerusalem Post, we secure the future of our nation for generations to come. At the early Zionist congresses, delegates debated whether symbolic diplomatic efforts or the practical settlement of land was of greater importance. Scholars of Zionism now refer to these factions as the "political" and "practical" wings of the Zionist movement. Ensuring the continued operation of an independent press in Israel is, in essence, the practical Zionism of the modern era.

It would be erroneous to assume that Zionism has fulfilled its mission and rendered itself obsolete, losing its ideological relevance. The fact that we have settled this land, established a state, and secured political recognition from other nations does not imply that our work is complete. We must infuse these accomplishments with new meaning and substance, a path that demands rigorous political, practical, and spiritual endeavor. In the course of daily life, we often overlook that our founding fathers—of both the ancient and modern Jewish nation—aspired to improve the world. This is the profound link connecting Judaism and modern Zionism. The idealism of the Torah and its commandments, which charge us to serve as a model for other nations by building an exemplary, prosperous state with a just society, inspired many Zionist pioneers and statesmen. We must not lose sight of this today. The Jerusalem Post stands as an excellent exemplar of this visionary and aspirational Zionism.

Building a merely "acceptable" state was never our objective, and we are currently only halfway toward our goal. Fortunately, our growth is rapid, and today Israel serves as a global benchmark in several domains.

Creativity, technology, and diplomacy must be included in this list. Historically, the Land of Israel has always stood at the crossroads of continents, empires, and civilizations. Our delicate position among neighbors who have not always been friendly, coupled with a challenging climate, harsh terrain, and a scarcity of natural resources, has never made our journey easy—neither in antiquity nor today. Yet, these challenges have taught us to seek opportunities in adversity, to find positive attributes in the most unfavorable circumstances, and, above all, to adapt.

The absence of alternatives forced us to think innovatively. This creativity catalyzed the rapid development of technologies that subsequently enabled a small Jewish state to become one of the world's leading economies, securing a robust international standing and strengthening its diplomatic influence.

It is an honor to contribute to these developments, defending Israel's interests as President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and advancing groundbreaking technologies as the founder of two Israeli tech enterprises. One of these is Watergen, whose proprietary devices extract clean drinking water directly from humidity in the air. The second is Vertical Field, which provides an accessible method for cultivating over 200 crop varieties in any indoor or outdoor urban space. The recently signed Abraham Accords have enabled us to secure partnerships in the United Arab Emirates. We are particularly proud that several Watergen units have been deployed in the Gaza Strip, where nearly two million residents suffer from a critical shortage of clean drinking water. By bridging gaps and fostering global equity, technology brings individuals and nations closer together.

Thousands of high-tech enterprises in Israel are currently enhancing the quality of daily life globally while Bolstering the international prestige of our state. This represents yet another convergence of modern practical and political Zionism.

I would like to offer my warmest congratulations and express my profound appreciation to The Jerusalem Post and all attendees of its anniversary conference in New York for their active participation in our shared Zionist project, in shaping the future of our state, and in realizing the loftiest dreams of our great ancestors.