Speech by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Special Knesset Session in Memory of
Assassinated Minister Rechavam Ze'evy
Jerusalem, October 17, 2001
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Following are Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's remarks at the
special Knesset session today (Wednesday), October 17, 2001, in memory
of Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze'evy, who was assassinated this
morning:
This morning, our fellow minister and MK Rechavam Ze'evy, Gandhi,
may God avenge his blood, was murdered in Jerusalem by
Palestinian terrorists.
From his youth until the day of his death, Minister Ze'evy took
an active part in the campaign for the establishment of Israel -
and in this campaign he fell.
Rechavam, a sixth generation Jerusalemite on his mother's side,
fell in the line of duty in Jerusalem, our eternal capital.
Minister Ze'evy's achievements on behalf of the State of Israel
were many: From his days in the Palmah that he joined in his
youth; through his service in the IDF in which he served for over
25 years, reaching the rank of major-general; and through his
service as an MK and a minister. The head of the Moledet movement
loved his homeland. His path was marked with milestones in the
establishment of Israel and its struggles.
Ze'evy was one of the IDF's greatest staff officers and
commanders. Afterwards, he continued to contribute to Israel's
security and served as the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's
adviser on counter-terrorism and intelligence.
First and foremost, he was a consummate Zionist. I did not know
anyone who had such a vast knowledge of the Land of Israel and
its history as him. His contribution to settlement in the Land of
Israel was considerable. Ze'evy was an outstanding
parliamentarian for 13 years and a minister in Yitzhak Shamir's
government and in the current national unity government. In all
of his public posts, he persistently and admirably fought for his
positions and beliefs.
This is a severe loss to the people and State of Israel. For me -
it is also a personal loss.
Gandhi was first and foremost a comrade: A comrade-in-arms and
also a comrade to the belief in the nation of Israel's
unequivocal right to its historical homeland.
Only despicable terrorists can dream of assassinating an elected
official in a democratic state. Only a regime that wants to
subvert the State of Israel and deeply opposes peace can give
shelter and support to murderers of this kind. The full
responsibility falls squarely on Arafat, as someone who has
controlled, and continues to control, terrorism, and as one who
has not - to this day - taken even one serious step to prevent
terrorism.
He knew that not taking steps against organizations such as
Islamic Jihad would lead to terrible acts of murder and the
responsibility is fully his. We want peace with the Palestinian
people, but there will be no compromises with terror. Never.
Minister Ze'evy's legacy is holding fast to the soil of our
historic homeland, and the determined, uncompromising war for the
existence and security of Israel. We will wage all-out war on the
terrorists, those who collaborate with them and those who send
them.
His legacy we will fulfill; may God avenge his blood.
Gandhi will be sorely missed by myself, and by everyone.
I would like, on behalf of everyone, to express our condolences
to Gandhi's great and special family.
May his memory be blessed.