In an informal discourse during a formal state dinner, Mr. Rabin evoked
the tense relations between Israel and Britain in earlier years and
praised the high level of these ties at present. Britain was for Israel a
staunch ally as it sought to improve ties with the European Union. The
state dinner afforded the prime minister the chance to express Israel's
appreciation of the friendly policies undertaken by Mr. Major and his
government in recent years. Text:
Mr. Prime Minister,
Mrs. Major,
My colleague the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Members of the Governments of the United Kingdom and Israel,
Members of the British Delegation,
President of the Supreme Court,
Madame State Comptroller,
Distinguished Guests,
It is an honor and a privilege to welcome you here this evening in our
home, Jerusalem. We very much want you to feel at home here and many
Israelis will applaud you tomorrow and will warmly embrace you, both
because of our good relations with Britain and because of the television
series, "Yes, Prime Minister", which was very popular here.
Yes, Prime Minister Major,
I know that we both share an infinite capacity to absorb criticism and an
equal determination to take the necessary decisions which will bring our
people peace and prosperity.
The annals of the Jewish people and the history of the State of Israel
during the last century here in the Middle East are intertwined. It is
impossible to describe our history without you, from 1917 until today. In
every corner of the land, Britain has left its mark.
Of course this evening we prefer to remember the better moments in the
relations between Jerusalem and London; the historic Balfour Declaration,
which established a Jewish National Homeland after nearly two thousand
years of wandering, the beginnings of the administrative and economic
infrastructure during the days of the British Mandate and the deliverance
of the Jewish people by Britain, its soldiers and its people, who stood on
the front line facing the claws of the murderous Nazi beast. We are now
marking the 50th anniversary of the tremendous victory and we cannot
forget those who reached out.
There have also been more difficult moments in the relationship between
our two peoples - however, the wounds have healed, thank goodness and we
are not here to mull over the past. We are looking forward to the future.
And when we look forward to the future, Mr. Prime Minister, we see in you
and in Britain, a foundation, a bedrock of support in the relations
between Israel and Britain, between Israel and Europe and in the new
global realities.
Our ties will be strengthened through greater economic cooperation, more
extensive trade and freer markets between our two countries. To the
members of the economic community who are part of the delegation, I
express an especially warm welcome and hope that as a result of your
visit, the economic relations between Great Britain and Israel will
flourish.
Mr. Prime Minister,
From the moment that you were elected, we have seen you as a true friend.
During our meeting I felt your desire to see us secure in our homeland, in
peace, tranquillity and happiness.
This is an opportunity to thank you personally for your decision to cancel
the embargo on the establishment of joint research foundation on
scientific cooperation and on the support and encouragement which have
shown us within the framework of the European Union. I would also like to
thank your wife, Norma.
We recognize the significance of Europe historically, culturally and
economically and look forward with great hope to strengthening our
relations with Europe as a whole and especially with Britain.
Mr. Prime Minister, Friends,
You have come here during a critical period for the Israeli people: after
generations of bloodshed we are trying to build peace. Just three days
ago, on March ninth:
- in Jerusalem, we held talks with the American Secretary of State in
order to advance the peace talks with Syria;
- in Gaza, our Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, met with the PLO Chairman
to discuss the continuation of the peace process with the Palestinians;
- in Aqaba, I met with the King of Jordan to talk about the implementation
of the peace treaty with Jordan.
The political air is alive here, alive with activity, proving how much we
dream of peace and are doing for peace.
The main problem today is the terror which is being waged against us by
the extreme Islamic groups. We appreciate your steadfast commitment in the
fight against terror. No doubt, we will win the struggle against terror
even if it lasts for a long time.
We said to our Palestinian partners last week that we want to complete the
next stage of the negotiations by July first. We want the Palestinians to
hold elections for their institutions. There are no political obstacles
which prevent us from implementing the peace agreement with them so that
we can live in peaceful coexistence. The only obstacle to achieving our
common goal is terrorism.
To the American Secretary of State, who will meet with the Syrian
President tomorrow, I said: We want to make peace and we are able to do
so." We hope that we find President Assad as committed as we are to forge
a real peace and achieve the normalization of relations between our two
countries.
With the King of Jordan, we talk about day-to-day life in times of peace.
In the near future, private vehicles will cross the border just like they
cross the border between France and Belgium. For you this is part of daily
life - for us this is the fulfillment of a dream.
Mr. Prime Minister,
In the spirit of peace we greet you tonight with all our heart and with
open arms. Let us raise our glasses in honor of Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom, Mr. John Major and his wife Norma, in honor of the
relations between Britain and Israel, peace and the State of Israel.
L'chaim, Cheers.