Published in Iyar 5765/June 2005

As a young boy growing up in an Arab country, Moshe Katsav never imagined that someday he would be president of the Jewish State of Israel. Longing to help build the budding Jewish country, his family made aliyah from Iran in 1951, when he was only five.

Katsav grew up in the immigrant camp of Kiryat Malachi, living in sand-swept and rain-drenched tents. Despite the hardships of life in a new country, he loved Israel and developed a passion to serve his nation. At the age of 24--while still a student at Hebrew University--Katsav became the youngest mayor in Israel. He went on to serve in the Knesset and to hold several government offices before being elected president in 2000. On the eve of Israel's 57th birthday, Katsav told us what it means to him to serve the Jewish state.

BABA: What is the role of the president of Israel?

KATSAV: The president is the head of state representing all parts of the nation. He appoints judges and other high officials and decides which party head to charge with the task of forming the new government. The presidency is not a part of the three arms of government. The president stays out of political arguments and reminds Israelis that they are citizens of one country and that they must remain united.

Israel is the state of the Jewish people and is a spiritual center for the Jewish people living in the Diaspora, and I see great importance in keeping close ties with Jewish communities around the world.

BABA: What's your favorite part of the job?

KATSAV: I enjoy meeting Israelis of every type and visiting all parts of the country. Everywhere I go, I meet up with the incredible positive energies of the Israeli people.

BABA: What's the hardest part?

KATSAV: My visits with the families of fallen soldiers. I visit every home where a soldier has been killed. In the last four years of conflict with the Palestinians, I made many, many such visits. These visits are heartbreaking. In these meetings, I am always impressed by the powerful desire of the Israeli people for peace and how strong and determined they are to defend our country until peace comes. I hope that days are coming when these visits will be no longer. I find in our people strength, determination, and faith in the justice of our struggle.

BABA: How did you come to make aliyah?

KATSAV: I came with my family as a young boy, from Yezd, Iran. My parents came to Israel out of pure Zionist and religious reasons. They made aliyah after 2,500 years of exile, following the destruction of the First Temple. Aliyah is the soul of Judaism, and of the Jewish People, and of the State of Israel.

BABA: How did Israel welcome you and help you become part of the country?

KATSAV: In its early years, Israel was a poor country. For many years, we lived in tents, and then in cabins. But Israel did its best to provide our basic needs such as health care, welfare, and education. In school, I had very good teachers. Israel is a Jewish, democratic, modern, open, and liberal society, which tries to give each and every citizen a fair chance and equal opportunities.

BABA: How has the process of kibbutz galuyot (ingathering of exiles to Israel) transformed the political and cultural landscape of Israel?

KATSAV: Israel is the home of every Jew in every place, whatever language they speak, whether or not they keep mitzvot. As a country that welcomes immigration, we are busy forming an Israeli culture and a just society, which strives for peace and security.

I believe that a large-scale aliyah from North American Jews would be a historic contribution to the State of Israel.

BABA: We've read that archaeology is one of your interests. What do you like about archaeology?

KATSAV: Archaeology shows the depth of the roots of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel, from today back to the time of Avraham. It is moving to know that--even though the Jews were dispersed around the globe for so many centuries--you can still find connections to your ancestors by digging in the earth.

BABA: Do you have a favorite Jewish or Biblical quote?

KATSAV: Yes. It is from Psalms [and is part of the opening paragraph of Birkat Hamazon on Shabbat]:

When God will return the exiles of Zion, we will be like dreamers. Our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with joy.

BABA: Thanks, President Katsav. Have a hag sameah on Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel Independence Day).