Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Screenshot.

JNS.org – In an Independence Day message published on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled the 1948 “moment of triumph” for the Jewish people when the State of Israel was founded and praised the nation’s resilience.

“It was a moment of triumph for our people,” Netanyahu said. “We had been scattered around the world for millennia. And then we returned to our ancient homeland, to build a safe haven, where we could live, and thrive.”

Netanyahu went on to praise Israelis for their ability to flourish in the face of annihilation.

“Now, many doubted that this tiny state of Israel would survive,” he noted. “We were surrounded by hostile enemies, who attacked us again and again. So perhaps, for some, this skepticism was warranted. But survive we did. Much more than that. We thrived.”

“And I have no doubt that in the coming 69 years, Israel will continue to thrive, be strong and prosperous,” Netanyahu added.

President Reuven Rivlin said for Independence Day, “Sixty-nine years ago, in the moments just after [Prime Minister] David Ben-Gurion declared the birth of the State of Israel, we all went out to dance in the streets. We celebrated a hope which came true: to be a free people in our land, in Jerusalem.”

Rivlin also lauded Israelis for their democratic society and technological prowess, saying the Jewish state was “a shrine of freedom of expression, and a hub of innovation.”

Watch an Independence Day video featuring Netanyahu that was broadcast at the annual Mount Herzl torch-lighting ceremony on Monday below:

אין כמו המדינה שלנו. אין כמו העם שלנו. חג עצמאות שמח, ישראל! pic.twitter.com/VdnnWA830j

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) May 1, 2017