President Peres' Speech to the Brazilian Parliament - November 10, 2009
Mr. José Sarney, President of the Federal Senate.
Mr. Michel Temer, President of the Chamber of Deputies.
Mr. President of the Senate -
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to speak in front of this honorable democratic institution.
This is not the first time I have enjoyed your generosity. The first time was when I met you as President of Brazil. The other times have been when I enjoyed your spectacular books.
I agree with Saraminda's suggestion to gold seekers:
"The beauty of gold is in men" - A beleza de ouro está nos homens.
When I was a child, Brazil was a dream. Today, in my old age, it has developed into a dreamlike state.
The land is endless as described by Jorge Amado:
"This is not some small county; this is a land with an exceptional people."
A large and diverse land - from the headwaters of the Amazon to the modern architecture of Brasilia. Its diverse colors produce sensation without destroying harmony. From the wonderful beauty of Rio to the economic bustle of San Paulo. Its population built from a splendid rainbow of ethnicities; differences that have not turned into animosity. Its varied music, from Samba to the calmness of Bossa Nova. All expressing an exquisite, rhythmic enthusiasm. And above all, a love of life that does not require administration.
A nation that knows how to dream. How to love. How to be happy, and how to dance and sing well. From this nation comes inspiring figures in politics, science, and art. As well as an ability to live together despite differences. A world view in which people treat others as guests or hosts, and certainly not as enemies.
I came to see and learn how such a huge country advances on the runway towards its flight into the skies. I came to see how the impressive President, Lula, is fulfilling his dream of building a country in which the society and economy still struggle with poverty, illiteracy, sickness, discrimination, and narrow-mindedness. I came to see if I can place García Márquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" on the side, and instead listen to the new narrative of "One Hundred Years of Friendship" of Lula.
In my opinion, this is inspiring leadership, both in Brazil and outside it. It has turned the Futuro into the Presente.
Preisdent Lula and I come from the same socialist background, a background which abhors disparities and loves equality. I came to see the poverty skydive by 40% through the "Bolsa Familia" program. And to see education rise and become a national priority. I see in your eyes what I see with my own eyes. Because education [fights] first and foremost in the battle against blindness.
All the scientific and technology achievements of our age were possible also in the days of our forefather Abraham. But then, there were no microscopes or telescopes. [It was] before the invention of the internet. And also today we cannot see the full distance. The perceptive abilities of man add to and change history.
I came so as to not miss the first glance of the new world, the BRIC countries. The population in what is called the West has decreased to 12% of the world's population. The population in the BRIC countries has grown to 40% of the world's population.
Brazil began its new path on the basis of an exciting assumption: that with good will they will reach a power that cannot be achieved by force. This caused a global sensation. The decision to host the Olympics in Brazil marks a global salute to the Brazilian approach. And Israel blesses Brazil for it.
En Israel, nos son-yamos empetar con coalcer timeh de futbol do brazil.
Honorable members,
Brazil, which is rich in natural resources, produces the most important resource, the human resource. Man can enrich nature rather than get rich from it.
Israel is a small country. In the end it has one four-hundredth of Brazil's territory. It has little water. Little land. No oil. No gold. But, it has learned to stand at the forefront of developing knowledge, of intelligence. Because only a qualitative surplus can answer a quantitative deficit. Because of its smallness, Israel cannot be a global manufacturer. Thus, it has chosen to be a global laboratory.
Today Israel has the most scientists per square kilometer.
Israel moved from traditional agriculture to high-tech agriculture. 95% of Israeli agriculture is built on high-tech. We are increasing our harvest despite decreasing our acreage. The harvest in Israel has increased 20-30x times, on the same land, in comparison to that of traditional agricultural. We do not look at the land with downcast eyes, but rather with eyes lifted by science.
Today, Israel has made research and development efforts in six new industries necessary to the future world:
1. Renewable Energy
2. Water Technology
3. Biotechnology - that will produce body part replacements and improve brain cells
4. Modern Educational Technology - that will allow students to study, to watch, and to dream of the history of tomorrow
5. Space - to manufacture new spaces to inhabit so as to overcome the overpopulation and ecological deterioration that cloud our planet
6. Defense - against terrorism, individual and global
All these industries have promising beginnings in Israel. And we would be glad to increase cooperation with you, with the rapid technological development in Brazil.
Brazil's largeness and Israel's smallness complement one another. They grant us room for deep and wide cooperation in these industries.
Cerus Parlimentares,
In the name of Israel I came to thank Brazilians for opening their doors to holocaust survivors. I came to thank your country for its support in the establishment of the state of Israel.
In the past one hundred years, my people have experienced two events with no precedent: the Holocaust - that killed one third of us. And a Jewish country that granted a just future to the our people. The Holocaust loosened our tears. The hope cost us a steep price in blood.
I stood near David Ben Gurion, the founder of our country, when the U.N. decision to establish Israel was publicized. Ben Gurion was sad. He told me "Today we dance, tomorrow blood will spill."
The U.N. decision was a historic step. It was managed by Oswaldo Aranha, the famous Brazilian diplomat. His name will be engraved in our country as an outstanding personality, as a good friend.
Israel accepted the UN's decision. The Arabs delayed it and launched a military attack on the country that had just formed.
We were then 650 thousand people, the Arabs were 40 million people. [It started] Before we had a military. And we lacked firearms. The Arabs had standing armies and firearms.
Since then we have been compelled to fight seven more wars. We knew that if we lost one war - we would be annihilated. We did not attack. We did not seek territories. We did not wish to rule over another people. Conquering, suppression, war - violate the fundamental values of the Jewish people.
From attacks - we defend ourselves. From defending ourselves - we won. From our winnings came new borders.
But even in war, before it, and after it, we never ceased to seek peace. We wished for peace to flow from our principal refusal to control another nation. In our eyes, the conquest for peace is more important than the conquest for land. Because we know that we cannot build a better world through the spilling of blood.
Honorable Members,
For peace we returned all the land and water to Egypt, to Jordan, and to Lebanon. In similar spirits, we search for a solution to the stagnant conflict between us and the Syrians and between us and the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Ministers have already suggested to Syria the exchange of land for peace. Syria has declined to engage in direct negotiations.
I call from here to President Assad: come enter direct negotiations with us immediately. With no mediations, with no preconditions, with no levels, and with no delay.
The war was early and painful. We cannot allow peace to be late and disappointing.
With the Palestinians we have begun negotiations. Despite the fact that there has never been a Palestinian state - the West Bank was controlled by the Jordanians, Gaza by the Egyptians. Israel recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state.
I turn from here to my colleague Mahmoud Abbas, partner in the signing of the Oslo Accords, to immediately resume peace negotiations - so as to complete them. Israel has already announced that it will accept difficult and painful compromises to allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state by its side. To live as good neighbors. As nations interested in peace.
My colleague, Mahmoud Abbas, I know it is hard. It is hard for you and hard for us.
You remember, when Yitzhak Rabin and I began negotiations with you not everyone agreed with us. Yitzhak was assassinated in front of my eyes. The assassin meant to kill me as well. I survived in order to continue the peace process and today, to my joy, there is wide support.
Both of us have had difficult moments during the peace process. We evacuated Gaza from our own free will. The result disappointed both of us. Hamas took advantage of the evacuation and rebelled against the Palestinian Authority. It turned Gaza into a military zone. Hamas aspired to gain control over the Palestinian Authority and introduce its fanaticism.
The fanatic rifle will not win. The future is as green as the peace symbol of the olive branch. Up to now the negotiations have narrowed the gap. I believe that with a few daring steps we can complete the process and reach peace.
Valued Members of Parliament,
It is not my intention to fight in Brazil with the President of Iran. As you know, we think his country is a danger to global peace. I will refer only on the facets [of this threat] that touch Israel. Historically, Iran has not been an enemy of ours and there is no need to be enemies. The Islamic faith is not our enemy. There were periods during which we lived in true friendship. I cannot ignore a government that develops nuclear weapons and calls for the destruction of Israel.
Iran is a member of the U.N. yet its call for Israel's destruction violates the U.N. charter. It violates the first of the human rights. That is, the right to stay alive. The Iranian government arms and sponsors terrorist organizations like Hizbullah and Hamas. With Iranian support, Hizbullah has divided Lebanon in which Muslims and Christians had lived in peace. It has established a state that denounces peace within a state that wishes for peace. Iran assists Hamas to conspire against the Palestinian Authority, and as such prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state.
A clear voice is needed against destruction and against terrorism. A clear voice toward peaceful coexistence.
I know that Brazil rejects calls for destruction. Rejects terrorism. Its positive, clear voice echoes widely. I know that Brazil supports the peace process that is based on two states for two peoples. This is the only positive alternative.
Jews and Arabs have lived in peace previously. Religious differences did not bother us then, and they do not need to bother us in the future. We are members of one family. Abraham is father to all of us. Brothers do not need to fight their fellow comrades.
Honorable Messengers,
From Jerusalem to Brazil I bring a message of friendship, honesty, and a deep desire for cooperation in every respect. Both our countries look towards the future. I acknowledge that we do not have a Carnival like in Rio. But I will remind you that in Israel a Brazilian Kibbutz lives and breaths. It is named Bror Hail, and it is one of the wonders among us. It is known as the "Brazilian Kibbutz" because it was established by immigrants from Brazil. In Bror Hail, the community continues the tradition of a Brazilian Carnival. Of course, not as large as at Salvador, but I promise you, to the same rhythm.
You are invited to Israel, to the holy land. Come look at our Brazilian Kibbutz. I promise you will not be disappointed - not from the socialism and not from the carnival.
Both Brazilians and Jews have a heritage to draw from. It calls for peace between people - not just between governments.
Thus, I initiated and established a center that brings people together, primarily youth. The center is engaged in medicine and sport. In medicine, the center has treated over 6000 children suffering from neurological and cardiological problems. Children who have been injured by nature or war come with their parents to the best hospital in Jerusalem - of course without payment.
In my opinion, this is one of the most moving initiatives I have been involved with over the course of my life.
In sport - the main efforts, of course, are in soccer. It is not just a game, but a language of camaraderie between different peoples from different backgrounds. The Palestinian children and the Israeli children play by teams determined not by nationality but rather by athletic ability. I do not know a better way to clear a path to peace than athletic competition, [a competition] in which there are no victims. In one of the games a marvel occurred. Never before have I seen the eyes of Palestinian and Israeli kids glow so vividly. They know that whoever loses today is he that will win tomorrow, and thus, the real winner is peace.
Notables,
We share an ambition for a better future. Hence, we have a similar vision. What you call in Portuguese: "Luz Para Todos"
And what we call in Hebrew "Or Lagoim", as the prophets envisioned.
We can march there together. Brazil, Israel, and its neighbors. This will be the march of the future.