Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel, the United States and the international community must unite to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, during his keynote at the closing plenary of the 2006 General Assembly of United Jewish Communities/the Federations of North America in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

"We have reached the pivotal moment of truth regarding Iran. It would be an unbearable sin to future generations to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons," Olmert told some 3,000 of more than 5,000 total GA participants.

Olmert, who earlier this week met with President Bush, called Bush "a true friend" of Israel and said they discussed Iran "at great length." Olmert added that Israel and the world cannot allow Iran to threaten Israel's very existence.

"We cannot tolerate, nor will we tolerate, those who challenge Israel's right to exist while actively seeking to develop the catastrophic weapons to fulfill their goals," he said. "Our integrity will remain intact only if we prevent Iran's devious goals, not if we try our best but fail. We did not choose this responsibility. But the burden is ours and we cannot, we will not, we shall not shy away from confronting this challenge."

His comments added to the drumbeat of warnings by Israeli leaders throughout the GA about Iran. Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu also said the world community must confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and its stated desire to destroy Israel.

Among other Israeli officials issuing warnings about Iran were Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog. Israel can only confront the "axis of evil ranging from Tehran to Damascus" through a unified approach to strengthening Israel's education, economy and military, he said, and one way to bolster Israel's economy is tourism, especially in the wake of a 40 percent drop in visitors this year because of the summer's war.

Herzog, the son of the late former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, said the tourism ministry and El Al are offering GA participants and the federation system special rates to encourage them to “be our guests and enjoy the Land of Milk and Honey.”

Tamir saw cause for optimism in Israel’s next generation. The $345 million Israel Emergency Campaign is “not only about recovery, but about strategic planning,” she said, with a focus on boosting literacy; improving high-school graduation rates; creating local leadership for youth and improving school infrastructure.

The education ministry plans to add 500 new classrooms, renovate 70 schools, and improve the educational environments in 500 schools and kindergartens, she added.

An increasingly global economy means Israel must invest in its future resources now, she added. “Education is our future. The children of Israel have the skills and the ability to flourish.”

Galia Maor, Israel chair of the GA and president of Bank Leumi, moderated the session “The Israel Economy: Investing in Israel Now.” Prof. Stanley Fischer, governor of the Bank of Israel and former vice chair of Citigroup and first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, painted a compelling picture of a robust Israeli economy.

The economy bounced back from the recession of the Intifida years and was strong enough to resist being dramatically affected by the war, he said. The only cloud on the horizon is education, he added, echoing Tamir. Fischer mentioned such challenges as large class sizes and somewhat low government spending on education compared to other developed countries.

The investors on the panel agreed that their decisions to invest in Israeli companies were based not on altruism but on business sense. “I did not invest out of Zionism; it was a pure business decision,” said Haim Saban, chair and CEO of Saban Capital Group, who purchased 30 percent of Bezeq, the telecommunications company previously owned by the governement, as well as 24 percent of Israel’s Channel 2. Saban said he was impressed by the fairness and transparency of the purchasing process.

Elliot Broidy, chair and CEO of the Markstone Capital Group, spoke of improvements in the Tel Aviv stock market, the reliability and transparency of the banking system. Broidy has acquired the Steimatzky bookstore chain and the company that owns Israel’s Yellow Pages.

“I was motivated by the desire to get superior returns for our investors,” he said. He was attracted to family-owned companies that were going through generational changes.

“Strong democracy, strong accounting systems, and a solid regulatory environment and legal system were all backdrops” to his decision to invest, he said, and to Israel’s current success in the global economy.

Despite the threats facing Israel, Olmert said he also chooses to remain optimistic in Israel's future.

"Let me be clear ... Israel chooses hope. Israel chooses peace."

Despite its challenges, Israel remains focused on the "strategic development" of the Negev, the Galilee and Jerusalem, he added. This at a time when international investments in Israel tripled to a record high of $20 billion and the stock market soared to an all-time high.

Olmert pointed with pride to the fact that Israel has the highest number of scientists per capita in the world, its high-tech sector is among the world's most innovative (and responsible for many key Internet milestones) and remains globally competitive.

"But do not take my word alone on the wonders of our State," he added. "I urge each and every one of you to visit Israel. Join us. Participate in shaping our future, our heritage; strengthen the affinity between yourselves and your people -- not next year in Jerusalem, but this year in Jerusalem!"