“I'm glad that the diamond exchange largely adopted ILAN, I can assure you that of all the diamonds you have this is the jewel in the crown," said President Shimon Peres at the opening of the work of ILAN, last Thursday at his residence in Jerusalem.
The celebration, which was dedicated to the contribution of volunteers, featured IDE President Shmuel Schnitzer who led an entourage of about 15 members of IDE management and members, the chairman of ILAN, Ehud Rassabi, its CEO Shimon Zurieli, the children of ILAN and hundreds of guests who attended the moving ceremony.
President Peres said: “I know that you are an in unending battle, and you must not give up for a moment, you must fight all the time. Your battle is not lost, and you will win because you are fighting, every one of you, even though sometimes it is hard. And it seems that the forces of nature are bigger and stronger than us, each of you proves the opposite – the victory of mind over body. So your battle is not lost, you are remarkable people, Israel is proud of you. "
IDE President Shmuel Schnitzer, said: "Mr. President, we work all year for many decades intensely and with determination to maintain our leadership position in the diamond centers in the world. In addition to our main work, the IDE works for the benefit of the wider community in which we live and with the embrace that we give ILAN we express our concern for the children of Israel and for those who did not receive a lot of luck in life. The IDE management considers its contribution and involvement in the community as a supreme value and is doing everything it can to contribute. Assistance to certain groups and community involvement is a tradition and a fundamental value for us, and the children of ILAN receive a special embrace treatment and we will help as best we can to assist children with special needs."
Ilan Rassabi, Chairman of ILAN, said: “I welcome the privilege to serve as Chairman of ILAN. I'd give a lot to go back to that moment where I visited the Spivak sports center and saw the little girl, who only a year earlier needed equipment to be able to walk, making her first step without the devices. I cannot forget the help of the Israel Diamond Exchange, our friends who honor us today and not only through financial contributions, but also action. I hope that the relationship which is so important will continue in the future."
This is the second year that the IDE has adopted ILAN as an organization to help and has provided a great deal of help and takes a large part in events to assist it, including the NIKE charity run, a basketball match for people in wheelchairs, and other events. The IDE helps a wide range of community causes in addition to ILAN and hospitals among others.
