Statements by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the European leaders in Jerusalem following meeting with Egyptian President Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh
18 January 2009
Statement by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
(Translated from Hebrew)
Honorable President of the European Council, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, my friend Mr. Mirek Topolanek,
Honorable President of France, my friend Mr. Nicholas Sarkozy,
Honorable Chancellor of Germany, my friend Ms. Angela Merkel,
Honorable Prime Minister of Great Britain, my friend Mr. Gordon Brown,
Honorable Prime Minister of Italy, my friend Mr. Silvio Berlusconi,
Honorable Prime Minister of Spain, my friend Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero,
Distinguished Guests,
I wish to express my personal appreciation and the appreciation of the people of Israel to you, leaders of the European countries, for demonstrating your impressive support for the State of Israel and your concern for its safety. The united front which you represent and your uncompromising stand with regard to the security of the State of Israel warms our hearts and strengthen us at this sensitive time.
Distinguished Guests,
More than three weeks ago, the Government of Israel decided to launch a military operation in order to thoroughly change the reality in the southern communities with regard to security. The reality in which the residents of Sderot, the Gaza envelope and other communities lived for many years was an impossible one - intolerable for our citizens and impossible for us all as a nation. No sovereign nation would allow its civilians to be harmed; no enlightened regime suffers indiscriminate fire directed at its residents.
I take this opportunity to express my condolences to the bereaved families who lost their sons in battle, and to the families of the victims of terror whose pain is an inseparable part of all our personal and national agendas. Their courage and bravery are a source of inspiration and pride.
Today, after three weeks in which the IDF and security services conducted an outstanding military operation and struck a serious blow to the Hamas organization, and after we realized the goals we determined as we launched the campaign - we decided to hold our fire. We did so to comply with the request of the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak.
I would like to add that if the ceasefire is stable, especially in light of the statements we heard today, the State of Israel has no intention of staying in the Gaza Strip. We are interested in withdrawing from the Gaza Strip as quickly as possible the moment we are assured that the ceasefire is being respected and is stable, and that there is no threat to the security of southern Israel. Our intention is not to conquer or control Gaza. We do not wish to remain in Gaza. We intend to withdraw as soon as possible.
You all just arrived here from Egypt where you expressed your support of the Egyptian president’s sincere efforts and commitment to advance a solution and assist in achieving a long-lasting and stable ceasefire.
Today it is clear to everyone that in order to achieve a stable ceasefire, Hamas must be prevented from building up its military capabilities through massive weapons smuggling from Iran and Syria to the Gaza Strip.
My friends, leaders of Europe,
In the letter I received from you yesterday: Prime Minister of Great Britain Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and President of France Nicolas Sarkozy - and I am certain this letter also represents the positions of the other leaders here today, as well of those of the European Union countries - you expressed profound commitment to assisting in every way possible in order to ensure that weapons will not succeed in reaching the murderous organizations in Gaza.
Now we must translate that commitment, together with Egypt and the United States, with whom we signed a memorandum of understanding on this matter, into actions which will prevent the terrorist organization, Hamas, from rearmament. This is in the supreme interest of all those who fight the forces of evil. It is also in the interest of all those who believe wholeheartedly in and wish to advance the peace process between ourselves and the Palestinians.
It is no secret that my Government, with the full participation of the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tzipi Livni, and the Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, together with all our friends, placed the matter of negotiations with the Palestinians at the top of our agenda alongside our concern for the security of Israel. We hope that stability in Gaza, the ceasefire and the undermining of the Hamas regime that is the inevitable result of the strengthening of President Abu Mazen, will allow us to advance the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians as rapidly as possible. We will all make every effort as we have over the past two years to do so.
For our part, out of the most basic human values, we have done and will continue to do all that is necessary to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and so that we can help the innocent civilians who fell victim to the terrorist organization.
We are interested in working in conjunction with you in order to create better conditions for a peaceful and better life for the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip. Through a joint, educated effort which will lessen the Hamas’s dominance, I believe we will succeed.
I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to reiterate the pain of the State of Israel and its sorrow and that of its soldiers for the loss of civilian life among the citizens of Gaza who were not involved in terror and served as hostages for the murders of Hamas. We did not fight against them; we did not wish to harm them or their children or their parents or their siblings. On behalf of the State and Government of Israel, I convey our profound regret for these victims.
In conclusion, I must mention our kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit, who is also a French citizen. We will continue working - together with you and with your help - to do all that is necessary to bring about his longed-for release.
My friends,
Our personal friendships may at times exceed that which is accepted in the recognized diplomatic protocol, but they are friendships which are beyond price. I feel a pleasant obligation to thank each and every one of you, both for your personal friendship and for your friendship towards the people and State of Israel.
Thank you very much.
Statement by Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek
Prime Minister Olmert,
My dear European colleagues,
I want to thank the organizer of this event for inviting me here, and to present the Czech Presidency's approach to the conflict. The Czech Presidency welcomes the decision of the Israeli Government to declare a cease-fire in Gaza, and expresses its hope that this important step will lead to a long-term and sustainable cessation of violence and might bring the people on both sides to resume their ordinary lives. While recognizing Israel's right to self-defense and being aware of the proximate causes of the Israeli military operation, we regret the accompanying loss of innocent lives and property.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We came from Egypt now and we took part in a special conference. Allow me to briefly summarize today's meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, hosted by Egyptian President Mubarak, attended by the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy and President Gul of Turkey, as well as the President of the Palestinian Authority, Chancellor Merkel, Gordon Brown from the United Kingdom, Silvio Berlusconi from Italy and Jose Luis Zapatero from Spain, the United Nations Secretary General, the Secretary of the Arab League of Nations. The participants highly appreciated the intermediary and peace making role of Egypt, highlighted the security needs of Israel and stressed the necessity to stop the rocket attacks launched against its territory. In the same vein they emphasized the need to stop the smuggling of arms from the land and the sea.
All present at the conference jointly agreed that the humanitarian situation of the people in Gaza calls for an urgent action, stressed the importance of the re-opening of the border crossings, and highlighted the need for further development of the Palestinian territories both in Gaza and in the West Bank. We have strongly emphasized the need of improving the situation of the Palestinian people as soon as possible, otherwise we might be soon faced with more serious problems impossible to manage or control. The Czech Presidency also considers this as the key issue.
The participants also naturally called on parties concerned to renew the peace process as soon as possible. They concluded the active role of the new American Administration in the process is absolutely essential and expressed the hope that it will become its foreign policy priority.
The EU and its member states expressed their readiness to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and participate in security operations such as monitoring of arms. The Egyptian President said that it would be entirely unacceptable for Egypt to host foreign troops on its territory.
Let me in the end express that the European Council is prepared to encourage and to support the peace process in the whole region, and to thank you very much, my friends, for taking part in this process with you.
Thank you.
Statement by President of France Nicolas Sarkozy
(Simultaneous translation from French)
Europe will never compromise the security of the State of Israel. I must say the following: we did not support Israel’s actions in Gaza. We recognize Hamas’s central mistake with regard to the rocket fire, buy we believe that the IDF’s place is not in Gaza.
All my political life I felt and lived as a friend to Israel, but a true friend is honest and can be trusted. The Government of Israel’s unanimous decision to cease fire is a decision we support. It is the right decision for a democratic country. However, it is only the first step. We must move forward because this region of the world, which you know better than we do, is running out of time. For too many years we lost time and missed too many opportunities. There were too many leaders who tried but did not succeed, and now we too must try. What Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier on behalf of the Government of Israel is very important, that if the rocket fire stops the IDF will leave Gaza. Eventually, we need to end the circle of terror and enter into a place of hope. And if despite everything we want trust to reign, well Mr. Prime Minister, there is no other way.
Europe has resolved to assist in this. Angela Merkel, Gordon Brown, Silvio Berlusconi and I sent a letter. We wrote that we are ready to place our ships at your disposal so that there will be no more weapons smuggling to Gaza. We said as much to President Mubarak, and I want to congratulate him on the bravery he has demonstrated. This is a man who made peace with Israel, a man who even today is trying to achieve peace. We are ready to assist him by providing observers and technology so that smuggling will stop.
We say: you are a democratic country. You must show us the way. If I may add a personal comment - one must take advantage of the window of hope in order to put the cards on the table and make a peace plan. Let us take the risk of peace. We only find the way when we put it all on the table.
As soon as the IDF withdraws from Gaza, we should hold a summit with the Palestinian Authority to talk to them about how a Palestinian state will live in peace with the State of Israel. This is a matter that concerns you. You must act in this regard, and then we must improvise how to bring about an international conference in one year which will finally allow for peace in this region. Of course we also need the United States, there is no doubt about this, but we need not wait. We believe they will provide the guarantees.
We came here today as friends. We extend our hand to everyone because we are convinced that Europe brings with it a message of peace. Europe will be strong and decisive if it has the courage to speak with everyone. I also say that Gilad Shalit must be released, not only because, as the Prime Minister said, he holds French citizenship, but because this is how it should be, because there is too much suffering. Israel must also be ready to release prisoners so that that the suffering of hundreds of families will end, who today have to hope for peace. I am not admonishing Israel; this is merely an expression of friendship, of genuine honesty and of courage.
Thank you.
Statement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel
(Simultaneous translation from German)
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are here today on a symbolic journey. We visited Egyptian President Mubarak earlier, and now we are here to clarify that it is very important to us that this region will finally live in peace - peace that in Europe is taken for granted. We cannot comprehend how difficult it is when you cannot live on your land peacefully. It is clear that Israel, like any other state, has the right to live in peace, and to not be threatened by its neighbors. It is therefore important that we also work toward a sustainable peace. It is also important that a unilateral cease fire will be declared following the military operation, and that a window will thus be opened for peace. We are all convinced, and it is for this reason that I, together with the President of France and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, wrote this letter, that we must ensure that the smuggling of arms, on land or sea, will be stopped. We will assist to the best of our ability. We believe also that there is room to improve the humanitarian situation. This means that the crossings must be opened.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Your statement that Israel will pull out of Gaza once the conditions will allow it, was important. The European Union also has plans for humanitarian aid. We want to see the enhancement of the legitimate Authority, and we have said so to President Abbas. We know that the cease fire opens a small window, and we must therefore act in order to consolidate the cease fire and embark on a peace process, as there is no alternative to the two-state solution. The State of Israel has a right to live, and so does a Palestinian state. We, together with our American friends, will support this process. We are neighbors, we are close. It is in all of our interest to live in a world of peace.
Statement by Prime Minister of Great Britain Gordon Brown
I have come here from Britain and then from Egypt this evening to say that we, that is all the European leaders who are represented here this evening, will do everything in our power to support this ceasefire and to support it as a bridge to permanent peace. We recognize that a ceasefire means that there should be no rocket attacks on the Israeli people from Gaza, and we call on the Hamas, even at this stage, to make sure that its supporters desist from any rocket attacks on the people of Israel.
We recognize also that this ceasefire must mean that action is taken against arms smuggling and arms trafficking. We have written to you, Prime Minister, to say that we will do everything to help stop the supply of arms by land and by sea. We recognize that the cessation of rocket attacks and the control of arms trafficking are vital to the security of the people of Israel, and Israel has a right to be secure within its own borders.
You said a few minutes ago, Prime Minister, that you would want the troops to leave Gaza as soon as possible. I hope that will be possible and I hope also that we will see an opening of the crossings. I believe that that would constitute the next stage following the ceasefire that will make possible a resumption of the talks that are necessary for a permanent peace. I asked you when we met that you take care as country to ensure that humanitarian aid gets in as quickly as possible. We mourn the loss of lives; we grieve at young children who have died. We want to help all those who are injured and need medical help. And I believe that your promise that you will make possible humanitarian action as quickly as possible is something that is important to the long term future of this region.
We have come here this evening to see all the leaders of Israel. We appreciate the leadership that you have shown over many many years, and all of you here are friends of the European Union and friends of our countries. I wanted to say that I was pleased to be with you all this evening, but the task before us is not just a ceasefire and it is not just the end to arms trafficking. It is building a permanent peace, and that means security for Israel within its borders and that means the viability, economically and socially, of a Palestinian state. Permanent peace may seem a very very distant prospect at the moment, but through the anguish and through the suffering and through the tears, I can see a road towards that peace. I believe that the leaders represented at this evening from Europe who are with me, and the leaders of political parties and the Parliament who are here this evening can also see that road. I believe that most people now see what needs to be done to establish that peace as a lasting and sustainable peace.
Let me say, and I believe that the new American administration and President Obama, they will wish to take the same efforts that we will do everything in our power to support a peace that is lasting and sustainable, that will protect the security of Israel, while making possible the viability of a Palestinian state. We will do everything to move that forward with you, working with you, over these next few months.
Prime Minister, thank you for your invitation to Israel this evening, and thank you to all the leaders of all the parties in Israel, and the leaders of the Parliament for coming to be with us this evening. Thank you.
Statement by Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi
(Simultaneous translation from Italian)
I am very pleased to be here this evening to express my support, together with the other European leaders. People have already said what we experienced today and the matters we discussed at Sharm el-Sheikh, therefore I will add just one thing - as far as my country and I am concerned, we have always stood beside you. We feel for the hardships you must face. Your hardships are our hardships. You certainly remember that it was the President of the European Union Berlusconi who decided to put Hamas on the list of terrorist organizations. You certainly remember that Italy always stood beside you, even when Israel was the only democracy in the Middle East. This is because of our shared values, our aspiration for freedom, our cultures and our free market rules.
I had the great pleasure to promote the European Council, and despite the geographic distance, one day Israel can be one of the member countries in the European Union. I am still convinced that it is proper that this happen, and we must continue working to that end.
With regard to the current situation, as in the past, you can count on Italy and my government. We stand beside you in whatever you do to move the situation forward towards a solution. Together with President Bush, we supported this foreign policy; we wanted to see if it was possible to reach the longed-for solution in 2008. Our hope began together with yours. In the negotiations, the gap with regard to land and territory between you and the Palestinian Authority was only 6%. A tragedy took place and the task was not completed. We must try again. Italy is ready to contribute and support this. We are prepared to be the primary contributors to a new "Marshall Plan" for the Palestinian economy so that they too can be a contributory party to pushing the Hamas forward so that they will begin to express good will at the negotiation table.
We are also ready to contribute military units, and we have proven this with our 2,500 soldiers along the Lebanese border. We are ready to continue thusly. We are also ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. Tomorrow the cabinet is to approve the first shipment of medicines and food. Beginning tomorrow, we will accept injured children who need treatment in our hospitals.
We will join with all the European countries to ensure that no arms reach Gaza by land or by sea. We are willing to provide Italian representatives at each of the border crossings and are also prepared to provide you with all the technological means at our disposal, at the highest professional standards.
When we heard about the renewal of rocket fire which landed on Israeli homes, we truly felt that this was a danger we all faced, a danger threatening the entire Western world, because of our philosophy which advocates freedom and democracy. Therefore, now that you have declared that all possibilities of attack have been exhausted, and the Hamas has also announced a short ceasefire, perhaps we will finally be able to see a window of opportunity to continue the peace process with the assistance of the Western community. Italy will always be ready to reach out a helping hand if needed.
Thank you.
Statement by Prime Minister of Spain Jose Luis Zapatero
(Simultaneous translation from Spanish)
Honorable Prime Minister Olmert,
Representatives of the political parties in Israel,
It is my first time in your country, and I am very excited that I am here on the same day that a cease-fire, which the international community has been striving to achieve for several weeks, is declared. We hope that this cease fire will be sustainable and that it will include the withdrawal of Israeli forces, with guarantees for Israel's security. The cease fire must encourage the renewal of the peace process. The word peace generates so much hope across the world. Peace here means peace worldwide. The attainment of peace here means renewed hope for millions of people in the ability to coexist and achieve mutual dialogue and understanding.
Spain and the European Union are strong advocates of peace, a just peace process that will guarantee the safety of Israel and enable the birth of a Palestinian state. The European Union and all its member-states will be genuine, reliable and generous partners to this process. The peace process starts by consolidating the cease-fire, rebuilding Gaza and easing the suffering of the population.
In the name of the Government of Spain, I want to remind everyone that we are here to lend a hand to all victims of this long-standing conflict, from which the countries of the region have been suffering for so many years. I want to express my condolence and support to all the families who were affected. Peace is the mission. Peace must be possible in this part of the world - a peace which creates a new understanding of coexistence for the Middle East, a permanent understanding between peoples of different cultures. We know a little bit about that in Europe. It is the best proof that the principles of liberty, pluralism, democracy, dignity and mutual understanding for peace can be applied. With friendship and recognition of Israel's rights, Spain will continue to contribute to the European Council, the European Union and the European Commission in the international community, in order for us to be able to take these steps for peace.
Prime Minister Olmert,
This day of cease fire must open new doors for us, for different times, times of hope. You can convey to your people and government that it is worth another try, and that the entire international community will contribute to and support the battle for a just and permanent peace, with that loyal voice of the European states and that of the government and people of Spain.
I wish you success in this battle for peace. Thank you.