The peace process and the situation in the Middle East was uppermost in the talks between Mrs. Thatcher and Mr. Peres. Mrs. Thatcher expressed the British view that called for the "recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their just requirements. " But she reiterated Britain's commitment to a stable, secure and peaceful future for the people of Israel. Mrs. Thatcher advised Israel to allow the elections of Palestinian representatives who could become an alternative to the PLO. She thought in terms of a future Jordanian- Palestinian federation. Excerpts:
It is only four months ago since we welcomed you, Prime Minister, to No. 10 Downing Street, and now it is my turn to pay the first visit to Israel by a British Prime Minister in officer.
I think perhaps the reason I returned so quickly was really twofold: First, because of the success of your visit, Prime Minister, to London, - and of the way we felt our views were both in tune with one another. Another reason is the way in which we both felt we had to tackle enormous problems which had been left over, from the past and we found a response from our people in doing so. Also because of a fundamental feeling that I felt it was time a British Prime Minister came to Israel to say how much we admire everything this country has achieved and how much it stands for in love of liberty and justice throughout this part of the world...
We also respect the outstanding contribution which British Jews have made to Israel's development, and I shall be seeing more when I visit Ashkalon tomorrow.
Prime Minsiter, we in Britain have absorbed from Jewish tradition some of the fundamentals on which our society is based. The Jewish contribution to the rule of law, on which President Herzog spoke so eloquently in London two years ago. The deep respect we both have for the worth of the individual and his rights, and that is why we are at one with you in fighting for the rights of Jews in the Soviet Union. The ingathering of Jews in distress is at the very heart of Israel's existence. We shared your joy over the release of Anatoly Shcharansky and his new life as a citizen of Israel reunited with his wife who worked so tirelessly for his release and who never gave up.
I recall speaking at the 40th anniversary of United Nations and saying to governments assembled there: "South Africa is properly condemned for its degrading refusal of basic human rights to black people, yet where are the resolutions over the treatment of Soviet Jewry?" Their absence is a sad commentary on the double standards which prevail there.
We must continue to take every opportunity to keep the position of Soviet Jews at the forefront of the world's attention and I believe in my heart that persistence will be rewarded.
There is another threat to human rights, against which we have to defend ourselves: The threat from the terrorist. No political cause, no ethnic grievance, nothing, justifies terrorism - nothing. Least of all the State-sponsored terrorism of which both our countries have been victims. To appease terrorists is to concede victory to them and to condemn more people to lose their lives. It must be met instead with steady determination, to isolate those who support the terrorist and will give him sanctuary, and that is what we agreed to do at the Tokyo Economic Summit.
We hope as many other governments as possible - and that includes the Soviet Union - will follow our lead. We heard with interest your proposals for economic aid to promote co-operation throughout the region. We share your belief in the importance of raising living standards. That is the way to increase political stability and we know you recognize that these proposals cannot be a substitute for a policy of peace with security for Israel and for all the states in the region. We support that goal.
We believe that you will only find the security you seek by recognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their just requirements - a phrase which comes not from me, but from one of the agreements to which Israel put her name. Prime Minister, the standards you have set yourselves in Israel are of the highest. You want those same standards observed for the Jewish people wherever they are and you campaign vigorously for them. Because of your own high standards, more is expected of Israel than of other countries, and that is why the world looks to Israel to safeguard the rights of Arabs in the occupied territories, in accordance with the principles which Israel respects and demands should be respected elsewhere. A future in which two classes of people have to co-exist with different rights and different standards is surely not one which Israel can accept, nor one which Israel's reputation allows...
These are practical steps which could be taken now in the occupied territories as a prelude to an eventual settlement, to bring the goal of peace with security for Israel closer to realisation. Further measure to promote economic development for the Arab population of the West Bank and in Gaza. Humanitarian steps, some of which you have taken, such as the reunification of Palestinians.
In the agreement to which I referred, you recognised the Palestinians' right to elect their own representatives; can not more be done now to help the Palestinians to play a greater role in managing their own affairs? Surely that is the best way despite all the difficulties, to encourage the emergence of responsible leaders ready for peace?
You mentioned Golda Meir. Of course, in a way, I follow in her footsteps. I knew her. I greatly admired her. I greatly admired her as a war leader. I greatly admired her as a great human being...
What did Golda Meir say in her autobiography? She said this: "My vision of our future; an Israel bound in a collaborative effort with its neighbours on behalf of all the people of this region, an Israel that remains a flourishing democracy and a society remaining firmly... resting firmly... on social justice and equality." That justice, that democracy, which embraces the right of free peoples to determine their future, must surely be extended to all, including the Palestinians? Such action would strengthen Israel's moral authority.
Prime Minister, Britain is committed to a stable, peaceful and secure future for the people of Israel.
I recall that when President Herzog was in London he spoke of Israel's dream, her dream of the day when peace will come. If we can make that dream come true, not only will the whole Middle-Eastern scene be transformed, but the whole world will benefit enormously.
I also was a great admirer of Ben-Gurion and I remember his words: "The Jews are chronic idealists." He was. So am 1. So are you Prime Minister. So is Israel.
I cannot tell you how much it means to me to have the privilege in speaking in this great building, the Knesset, to come from the mother of parliaments to this, the Knesset, and to speak in this hall, to speak here, where you have such a rich heritage, to speak here, where you return that rich heritage in giving so greatly to the future of your people and to the future of the world by your example.