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President Moshe Katsav said -
There were two major events, two missions that Col. Ilan Ramon carried out in his lifetime, in the name of the State of Israel - which held international importance and which held the world's attention.
In 1981 Ilan participated in a courageous operation, in utmost secrecy, together with his air force comrades, in order to prevent a tragedy. The world, at that time, did not understand the gravity of the situation, and there were those who condemned this action.
Today, the tides have turned, and many have blessed the operation in Iraq. Had Ilan and his friends at that time not endangered their lives in this mission - with hindsight, it is obvious that a much greater danger would be hovering over Israel and other countries.
Approximately one month ago Ilan, together with his companions, took part in another courageous mission, in the space shuttle Columbia, this time in the name of humanity, in the name of progress.
These two events encompass Ilan Ramon's personality - his pleasant nature, decisiveness, belief, courage, willingness to sacrifice himself, responsibility, striving for excellence, sense of mission, straightforwardness, and modesty. We were all captivated with his magic, and all admired him.
We sent one of our most perfect, the finest of our sons, on this mission. A whole nation followed the shuttle's launch with excitement and pride.
After four and a half years of preparation and exercises, and another sixteen days of space travel, a complication occurred at the moment of re-entry to the earth's atmosphere, in the last moments of the flight. Humanity held its breath, a whole nation was wrapped in sorrow and grief, and wept when the worst was confirmed.
In the days before take off, Ilan was noticeable in his wonderful personality, in his nobility and beauty. During the flight itself, he continued to add substance to his nobility and magic.
I planned to welcome him back, and tell him how proud everyone is of him as a person, as a Jew, as an Israeli, as an IDF commander and to thank him for his letter to me.
He brought, in the days leading up to the flight, and during the journey, in his special way a universal, humanitarian and national message.
We have so many disagreements and controversies, views and opinions. One man, was able in his last days, in his short life, with his strength of character to capture for a brief moment, before his death, the whole of the Jewish nation.
People of Israel, secular and religious, right and left, united around the personality of Ilan Ramon, while he was still alive. He was a representative and a symbol of the nation.
Ilan's request to postpone the shuttle's launch from the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, (a day of national mourning in memory of the destruction of the Temple), to the next day, in order that the festive atmosphere surrounding the launch not eclipse this sad day, the sanctification of the Sabbath in space, ensuring that there was Kosher food on the shuttle, the prayer "Shema Yisrael - Hear O Israel" as he flew over Jerusalem, all demonstrated to humanity Ilan Ramon's special place, as a Jew and an Israeli, and thanks to this man, we were all filled with pride, unity and love.
Ilan's decision to take symbols into space, which are symbolic of the Jewish nation, the State of Israel, the holocaust and the restoration, a picture from the holocaust, the President's pennant, the hearts of the citizens of Israel and Jews around the world, these were moments that were spiritually uplifting.
Ilan believed he was an emissary of humanity for scientific experiments. Ilan was responsible for forty scientific experiments which would improve the quality of life for the human race, and this turned him into an international citizen, and a beloved person.
In the name of the State of Israel, I send condolences to the families of the astronauts on space shuttle Columbia who perished together with Ilan Ramon, and to all Americans.
Rick Husband
William McCool
Michael Anderson
Kalpana Chawla
Laurel Clark
David Brown
Their joint picture, the moment that they walked with full confidence towards their fateful flight, will not be erased from my mind. The American nation, and the Israeli people placed the best of their sons and daughters on this mission and they were not privileged to see them return safely.
I thank the American people, the leaders of the free world, and leaders in space research, for inviting us to join them in this challenge.
Ilan Ramon served as a model and example to many. He left on a lofty mission, in the service of mankind, in the service of science, in the service of the IDF, in the service of the State of Israel, and in the service of the Jewish nation.
Precious Ilan, we in Israel, will guard your noble character, your pleasant personality, your face, which emanates a goodness of heart and innocence. The first Israeli in space, and scientist who fell on duty, as someone who was sent by the State of Israel on a mission from which you would not return, and someone who revealed the beauty of mankind, and a patriot.
You and your friends, paved the way for humanity, a path which will be continued, for this generation and for generations to come. In your death, you commanded mankind to continue the way of progress and development.
Rona, Assaf, Yiftach, Noah and Ilan's father, Eliezer and all the family: Ilan Ramon is a national symbol. Ilan is wonderful character, and not just because he traveled to space, but because he excelled, with a great love for the nation, the land, and humanity.
I thank you, Ilan, in the name of the people of Israel, for your mission on behalf of humanity, on the honor you brought to the State of Israel, for standing at the frontline of scientific research in space, on strengthening the unity among us, on strengthening the Jewish nation.
I thank you for your service in the IDF, for the sake of the State of Israel, for humanity.
May your soul rest in peace, Col. Ilan Ramon, pilot, fighter, scientist, family man, a good man.
Dear Ramon Family,
Mr. Wolferman,
Ilan's brother Gady,
Rona, Assaf, Tal, Yiftah and Noa,
Allow me, on behalf of the people of Israel, here and in the Diaspora, to honor the memory of Ilan Ramon, in love and pain, on this, his last road in our homeland.
Beyond all the memorial services, your mourning is first of all personal and private. You have just returned to us, with Ilan's coffin, and are suffering pain which cannot be healed. This is not how you imagined - how we all imagined - your homecoming.
The pain you suffer is the pain we all suffer. Ilan has touched the hidden spot in every Jew's heart. He tugged at the strings of all our hearts.
His youthful face, his eternal smile, his fresh countenance, the twinkle in his eyes - penetrated our souls. His image, projected from above, was the reflection of Israel at its best - Israel as we would have liked to see it - the Israel we love.
The Torah Scroll brought by a Jewish boy from a concentration camp, the Kiddush Cup, the Israeli flag, and the Israel Airforce badge touched and excited all Jews. They constituted a source of pride and united our hearts in these trying times.
Far up there - at the edge of the scope of human achievement - we could not have had a better and more fitting representative.
Ilan, the son of a mother who survived the Holocaust, and a father who is a veteran of the War of Independence, was a courageous combat pilot and an outstanding officer, and was among the best of our sons and warriors.
On his last mission he soared higher than any other Israeli, and realized his dream.
In his journey into space in the American shuttle, with his six shipmates, he brought great honor to the people of Israel.
The Star of David, the "blue and white" of our flag, were interwoven with the American Stars and Stripes, and the common fate of the team poignantly strengthened the staunch partnership between our nations.
At this moment our hearts also go out to the families of the other victims, and to the American people, in brotherhood and sincere condolences.
A day will come when other Israelis will be launched into space in the service of science and progress. For them and for us Ilan Ramon will always be a source of inspiration, as Israel's space pioneer, and his memory will be engraved in our hearts forever.
Tomorrow, when he is brought to rest in the earth of the Valley, we will remember that Ilan was plucked in his prime, at the zenith of his aspirations, and at a time when he acquired world fame.
Hopefully, this will be a source of comfort to his grieving family, his loved ones, and all of Israel.