e | was born 71 years ago, at the height of World War Il; the Nazi crematoria in Europe were working day and night. e And now... in 2013, | am ending my tenure as the Minister of Defense of a strong, independent Jewish state. e Look at what we — as a nation — have achieved... Who would have believed it then? o Today we have an agile and adaptive high- tech and export oriented economy. o A Start-up culture flourishes on an eruption of talent and an underlying entrepreneurial spirit. e | am optimistic, and my vision for Israel is clear: e A strong, self-confident, thriving Jewish, democratic state, living in peace and security with its neighbors. e An exemplary state and world leader in science, technology, education and culture. 13 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_027021