The Israel-PLO agreement was met with tremendous surprise by Jewish communities throughout the world. They, like their Israeli brethren, were not emotionally or mentally prepared for this historic breakthrough and the change in the previous Israeli policy regarding the PLO. In his proclamation the prime minister sought to mobilize world Jewry to participate in the peace process and support it. The prime minister also called on world Jewry to continue to support the historic task of immigrant absorption through its traditional fund-raising organizations. Text:
This proclamation is a call to the Jewish people around the world to participate in the unprecedented peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. This is a call to the Jewish people to express and demonstrate their support for the historical peace agreement which was reached and signed between Israel and the Palestinians. The Government of Israel foresaw the opportunity that peace could be brought to the Middle East and searched for ways to resolve the differences between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
The Government recognizes the potential risks in this process, but it has full faith in the courage and good will of the Israeli people and in the strength and fortitude of the Israel Defense Forces. We believe we can and will achieve a safe and secure Israel living under a just and lasting peace with all our neighbors.
World Jewry has been steadfast in the support of Israel in times of war and in times of crisis. That support - moral, economic, political and social - has always been appreciated by Israel. No less necessary is its steadfastness for Israel in achieving peace.
We again call upon the Jews all over the world to increase their support.
'There is no doubt that a major component of the strength of Israel is the massive Allyah and the miraculous absorption of over 500,000 Jews since January of 1990. The Jews of the world played a central role in making the Aliyah possible by providing funds, by maintaining ties to Jews in the Soviet Union when the links were restricted, and by substantial advocacy with the American government, the American people and the other nations of the world. This support was a major factor in opening the gates of freedom from the Soviet Union.
Jews all over the world continue to help fund both the Aliyah from the former Soviet Union as well as many other countries and contribute to the cost of the absorption in Israel itself. Your support in all its forms will help us succeed.
The Government of Israel believes that as Israel moves boldly toward peace, the rate of Allyah will increase. This means that the UJA, in association with American Jewish Federations, the Keren Hayesod fund-raising campaigns in other countries and other Jewish organizations, must increase their fund-raising efforts to meet the anticipated accelerated pace of Allyah.
We are at the threshold of an unprecedented opportunity for peace, but with enormous challenge to Israel. The price of peace will be high, but the opportunities to be derived from peace are even higher - a new spirit, a new ray of hope. Thus it Is essential that Jews everywhere will give their wholehearted backing to the establishment of these roots for peace in the Middle East.
In this new era, we seek a partnership with you in which we can support one another, encourage one another and strengthen the Jewish people as one people, as Clal Israel.