From out of the ashes we arrived. Reawakening an ancient language that was sleeping for thousands of years. Integrating our magical, mystical past with present day MacDonald's culture. Being a "stubborn" people - wearing the analogy of a cactus, the thorny but sweet sabra plant. So have we really changed from how we were in the days of David? I think not.

We live, we survive in one of the harshest physical environments. A land with no or very little natural resources. We are forced to use our minds and trading skills to feed our families. What has changed for us has been the influence of the "industrial revolution". Today, we have the luxury of choice - to ignore the picking of oranges and bananas for writing HTML, JAVA and C++. The "people of the book" have become "the people of the Internet". We have helped to forge a global village and in return we pocket the rewards of prosperity.

Our future looks very good.

There is a Chinese saying: "The tree which does not bend in the wind, breaks".

Today we face difficult realities as we speak and make peace with our neighbors. As I write these comments, both Israeli and Syrian delegations meet in Washington over tea and coffee. And we discuss giving the Golan to the Syrians. I know something about the Golan. I first lived in Israel under the Golan's view on Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch. Back in 1972, I recall a Kibbutz member showing me the spot where his friend was shot and killed while driving his tractor. In 1973, I was a war volunteer based on the Golan's edge. I have taught many people to ski on the white slopes of the Hermon. And as a nature guide, the black volcanic rocks, the white and yellow flowers and soaring eagles of Nachal Yehudia, Zavitan and El Al have become intimate friends. I have served in the IDF there. The Golan is a beautiful place. I call it "paradise". I don't think any Israeli wants to say good-bye to the waters of Banias, the cliffs of Gamla and walk away from Neve Ativ and Katzrin.

But we must "bend". The Syrians must "bend". Together we must find a fair compromise which promises us real security for our water supply and a physical buffer from other regional neighbors who have yet to learn the meaning of the words "democracy", "freedom" and "tolerance". I do not advocate any personal position as to what we shall trade for peace. And I am sure that once peace becomes a reality in the North, I will weep in both joy and sorrow. This is truly what constitutes the word compromise.

I look forward to that sunny day where I can trek this beautiful green paradise in hiking boots with my children and their friends from Damascus. I look forward to trading my IDF "Luf" for humus and Turkish coffee in Beirut. We must all "bend" a little - both Syrian and Israeli - if we are to survive, prosper and grow. We all know the alternative. Let us continue being a "light onto the nations of the world" for all the millenniums to come - in peace, security and prosperity.