We are going through difficult times. Even though many systems in the state are in crisis, I am optimistic because I know the capability and strength of our nation. With proper policy and worthy leadership we can harness these powers and can leave these crises for better days.

In 2002-3, Israel was in the throes of one of the deepest financial crises in its history. A new spirit was needed, and this policy proved itself. Today, the economy of Israel is prominent.

Getting out of this crisis then required three elements: One, seeing the overall picture; two, a clear policy path; three, the ability to implement – the ability to make difficult decisions, and to apply them. Today, precisely the same things are needed in order to rescue the state from the crises befallen it. 

What is the big picture today? We are standing before a large challenge – the threat of radical Islam in its various factions and regimes. This is a threat to the entire world, but Israel is on the frontline.

There is no one medicine for this disease. We need a broader perspective and the capability to rein in many bodies to this struggle, spearheaded by the Iran’s nuclear effort.

I want to refer to the international arena. We have a lot to do there, a lot of which is public and overt.

Our main mission is to rally together all possible bodies to delegitimize and isolate Iran. Until now, this has been done sufficiently. Every country needs alliances, even world powers like the United States, and even more so small countries like Israel, that is on the front line. It multiplies your power. This is the first fundamental of statesmanship.

How do we do this with Iran? The extremist regime there carries in it the seeds of its own destruction. First of all, it is economically vulnerable. It is possible to increase the economic pressure, as well as other pressures, on Iran. Secondly, it is possible to use Ahmadinejad’s hatred against him – to turn this regime into an unaccepted exile of the family of nations, even to the point of undermining its existence. It is possible to close most doors in its face. A clear path must be charted, and we must use our special connections in the world.

We must produce a wave of delegitimazing the Iranian regime while applying economic pressures.

This will have 2 results: One, Iran will stop its nuclear program on its own. Two, this will prepare public opinion for such an action. It is desirable that the US will head this effort, but Israel has a decisive role in this. 

Two plans of action:

One is to put Ahmadinejad on trial internationally for threatening genocide. This effort will reveal to the ugliness of this regime before the eyes of everyone, and will prepare people’s hearts to isolate the regime. This initiative has gained momentum in recent weeks.

Second, on the economic level, we are taking action to advance voluntary sanctions on Iran. There is no need to wait for the United Nations to impose significant sanctions in the Security Council. A historic example of this is the action take against the Apartheid regime in South Africa.

It must start in the large financial institutions in the West, led by the US pension funds. We are at the start of this plan, but we need to increase efforts. The moment the snowball of voluntary sanctions against Iran starts rolling, it will put an immense amount of pressure on the regime and the Iranian people. Such voices are already being heard in Iran.

An operation is needed here that isn’t partial, that is coordinated, and that Israel needs to lead. First and foremost, the action needs to focus on the United States, and must kickstart Jewish public opinion, the Congress and the Senate, American media, economic forces, and the average citizens.

It has been said that we need to maintain a low profile in regards to Iran. This is true in regards to our means of self-defense. However, when recruiting an international front against someone who is threatening genocide against the Jewish people in Israel is in question, who will lead this campaign if not the Jews themselves?

There is one huge difference between 1938 and today, and that is that we have a state and we can protect ourselves by mobilizing the international system. Iran can be stopped. This is our first mission. If we succeed, closer threats will be reduced on their own. Hizbullah and Hamas will find themselves disconnected and weakened.

Only by toppling Hamas can more moderate forces arise among the Palestinians. And when they do, we will be able to initiate peaceful relations and good neighborliness.   

At the same time, we will need to bolster the IDF. I am convinced that the IDF will know to strengthen itself.

To reinstate Israel’s deterrence power for the threats of the 21^st century, we need money. Money won’t come from increasing the tax burden, but by accelerated economic growth that will be achieved by actually lightening the tax load.

The first Lebanon was executed by imposing a special tax, but the second Lebanon war was funded by economic growth alone.

Defense power is dependent on economic power.

Proper policies can result in growth of 6-8% growth per year in the Israeli economy for the next decade. If we double the economy, this will mean that the income per capita will be double what it is today. This will put us in the top tenth of world countries. This is within reach, but only on the condition that we continue with the fundamentals of the economic policies – accelerated lowering of taxes, making the governmental apparatus more efficient, and continuing reforms to increase competition in the economy. These three elements have halted.

Many reforms are yet to be undertaken - first and foremost, within the Israel Lands Administration keeps housing prices sky-high.

The key is to cutback the terrible bureaucracy in Israel in order to fully realize our human potential. Only a strong economy can fund the needs of education, health, and closing social gaps.

The essence of the plan to close social gaps is to encourage support anyone who can enter the workforce to do so. In addition, there needs to be funding for a full day of day-care and after-school programs, reduced-fare public transportation, increased education grants, significant increase of old-age allowances, regressive income taxes, and encouraging disabled people who want to work. 

Improving education, especially among weak sectors of the population, is a social engine of utmost importance. We will need to reorganize the Education Ministry along with the teachers’ associations in order to improve the level of teaching in math, science, and English. We must strengthen education on the values that connect us to one another and to our country. We must return to our basic values, to Zionism and patriotism.

A new spirit, that’s what Israel needs today. This isn’t only dependent on us. Israel is a just country – historically, legally, and humanely. We want peace and are prepared to make concessions to achieve it.