Statement by Prime Minister Ehud Barak prior to his Departure for the Camp David Summit
July 10, 2000
As I embark on a mission of peace on the invitation of President
Bill Clinton, I bear with me the aspirations of the entire
Israeli people, its hopes and its prayers for peace and security
in our country.
In Ecclesiastes it is written: "To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under heaven... A time for war, and a
time for peace." In time of war, we knew how to make sacrifices
and show courage and to win. The best of my young, daring
colleagues fell on the battlefields. They are before my eyes
today, they and the entire family of the bereaved, and I remember
them, one by one.
As Chaim Gouri wrote during the War of Independence, "The moment
of truth is close, and I am prepared for it."
One hundred years of enmity and struggle meet at this point in
time. Behind me far too many lie buried, there has been suffering
and anguish on both sides - because there is an unbearably high
price not only to defeat but also to victory. The time has now
come to put an end to the conflict, to give hope the flower of
our youth, that they may flourish undisturbed.
The time has come to take decisions and to bequeath a better
future to our children, a different reality from that known by
our and our parents' generations. This is the time to devote our
best resources to education, to reducing unemployment, to
bridging social gaps, to equal opportunity, and to taking
advantage of the enormous talents of our young generation.
This is the meaning of peace and security. There is no peace
without a price, just as there is no peace at all costs. The
dream and the ideal are lofty, and they will never be
straightforward and perfect. The reality of life is highly
complex and complicated. A painful compromise is required. There
is no choice.
I am embarking on this mission bound heart and soul to every
single part of the landscape of Israel and the heritage that has
grown out of it. As a simple soldier, as a commander, as
commander in chief, this country and its streams, its stones,
were the source of inspiration for everything I did. I am bound
up with its human and geographic topography, its towns and
natural landscapes, throughout the country.
The negotiations will be heart-rending and difficult because they
will involve not distant maps and locations, our beloved
homeland. They will involve roots planted deep in the hills, and
the love of the homeland to which I am bound and committed. This
is a love that cannot be divided by any imaginary line on the
map.
If we do reach a settlement that will put an end to the conflict,
there will be a heavy but necessary price to pay. As Menachem
Begin said, "The difficulties of peace are better than the
agonies of war."
If there is an agreement, it will only be one that will
strengthen the security of Israel, its economy, and its regional
and international standing. Otherwise, there will be no
agreement.
If there is an agreement, it will only be one that will comply
with the principles, to which I committed myself before I was
elected, and principles that I have consistently and repeatedly
stressed: a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty; the '67
borders will be amended; the overwhelming majority of the
settlers in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip will be in
settlement blocs under Israeli sovereignty; no foreign army in
the entire area west of the Jordan River; and a solution of the
problem of refugees outside Israeli sovereign territory.
These are the principles - these and no others. If there is an
agreement, I will submit it, as I promised, to the Israeli people
for decision. It is the Israeli people who will decide on the
agreement in a referendum. I will sign the agreement only if I am
convinced that it strengthens Israel and its future. Such an
agreement will, I am sure, be approved and endorsed by an
overwhelming majority of the Israeli people, and I am sure by a
majority of the Israeli residents of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza
Strip.
If there is an agreement, it will require a compromise, not only
by ourselves, but also a painful compromise by the Palestinians;
otherwise, there will be no agreement.
I would like to take this opportunity, on the eve of the summit,
to address the Palestinian leadership and people and ask them to
clear the air of accusations, threats and gloomy prophecies, and
to rise to the greatness of the hour.
We are arriving at a decisive crossroads in the future
relationship between us. The choice between us is between the
peace of the brave, which will put the relationships between us
on a positive track of good neighborliness and prosperity; or,
God forbid, will lead to violent conflict, that will lead to
further suffering and victims, and will not solve anything.
The State of Israel does not wish to control you and your future.
We want good neighborly relations with you based on respect and
liberty, on broad coordination, on shared interests, and on a
separation that will allow you and us to maintain independent
identities, development and free choice.
And I look forward to Yasser Arafat coming to Camp David with the
full backing of the Palestinian people to achieve a historic
peace. I expect him to come full of resolution and the ability to
make a decision in order together to achieve our goal. Together,
with the help of the President of the United States, we will be
able to bring peace and security to our peoples.
This is a moment of opportunity that will not reoccur. It is
accompanied by major risks. And if, God forbid, we should fail,
then the risks, and not the opportunities, will come true.
As we leave, I and all members of the delegation are accompanied
by the hopes and prayers of Israel's citizens. I am accompanied
by the fear of the mother and the concern of the father for their
soldier son. I am accompanied by the anguish of those among us
who have suffered the greatest loss of all, and by their hope
that such bereavement should not be visited on any other Israeli
homes. I am accompanied by the brave suffering of those soldiers
who have been wounded and disabled in battle, who bear the scars
of war.
I recognize the heavy responsibility and the great privilege of
being Israel's representative at this historic hour, where we
will try to take advantage of this opportunity to put an end to
enmity and violence. We seek to dispel the clouds of conflict and
allow the light of peace and security shine on us and on our
children with a bright, promising light.
On embarking on this mission, beyond the tumult of the political
arena, I hear the real voice of Israel's citizens reinforcing me
with their support and their blessings. Together with them, I
will conclude with the words from the prayer: "May You grant
peace and benediction to us and all of Israel, Thy people. May
You bless all Your people with strength and peace. Blessed art
Thou, O Lord, who blesses Your people with peace. Amen."