Worth Repeating: Israeli President Shimon Peres Addresses the U.N.

10/16/2008

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Following are excerpts from remarks by Israeli President Shimon Peres to the U.N. General Assembly on September 24, 2008:

Over sixty years have passed since the United Nations General Assembly voted on the historic resolution that would have put an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Resolution 181 called for the establishment of a Jewish and an Arab state. Its title was: “Plan of Partition with Economic Union.” It envisioned two states for two peoples, each fulfilling a distinct national aspiration. The Jewish people adopted the resolution and established the State of Israel. The Arabs rejected it and led to war. What happened in the ensuing years is much different from the resolution’s original intent. While much has changed, the ironies of history summon similar circumstances today.

Today, again, we are the middle of the lake. There is no sense in rowing back. Continuing forward will show how near we are to the shore of peace. A year prior to Israel’s declaration of statehood, its first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, called me, a young man from a kibbutz, to serve in our national defense. Since then, I participated in Israel’s dynamic realities: the building of security, striving for peace. 

We went through seven wars. All have paid heavily. Tears still flow down the faces of bereaving mothers. Remembrance Days fill the air with silent prayers of widowed families who lost young boys and girls in battle. 

Israel Has Made Sacrifices to Make Peace With Its Neighbors

Israel turned military victories to a peace process, knowing that the cost of life renders imperfect peace superior to perfect victories. We have also achieved two peace agreements. The first with the largest Arab country, Egypt. The second with the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. All the land, water, and natural resources that fell in our hands through war, were repatriated after peace was signed. Our countries can now offer remedies to other disputed areas.

But for peace, the call in our region is to repair the damaged environment and wounded land leading to poverty. If we shall not overcome the desert, the thirst, the pollution—they will overcome us. Joint ventures can meet this call. Nature does not carry a national passport.

With the Palestinians, we negotiate full peace. Both parties agreed to building a Palestinian state side by side with Israel, living in peace, security and respect. We tried to conclude the negotiations this year. It will take longer. But, I believe it can be accomplished within the next year.

We agreed to progress in spite of possible changes that may take place in the leadership. Gaps have been narrowed through negotiations, particularly the territorial ones. But peace is not just a matter of territorial compromise.

Rogue politics reject peace even where territorial dispute was resolved. In Lebanon, we implemented resolution 425. Yet Hizballah paralyzed the country and cut the road to peace. From Gaza, we withdrew completely and dismantled our settlements. Hamas responded with a bloody takeover and turned the strip into a basis of rocket fire.

Iran’s Radical Agenda Undermines Peace Efforts in the Region

At the center of this violence and fanaticism stands Iran. Its quest for religious hegemony and regional dominance divides the Middle East and holds back chances for peace, while undermining human rights.

Iranian support for Hizballah divided Lebanon. Its support for Hamas split the Palestinians and postpones the establishment of the Palestinian state. Iran continues to develop enriched uranium and long-range missiles. The Iranian people are not our enemies. Their fanatic leadership is their problem and the world’s concern.

Tehran combines long-range missiles and short-range minds. The General Assembly and the Security Council bear responsibility to prevent agonies before they take place.

Israel has shown that democracies can defend themselves. We do not intend to change. Israel shall continue to seek peace. We suggest immediate peace with Lebanon.

Israeli prime ministers indicated to Syria that for peace, we are ready to explore a comprehensive compromise. In order to gain trust, and save time, we have suggested face-to-face meetings with President Assad. We still await an answer.

I know there is a growing concern that peace is far away. My life-long experience provides me with a different point of view. True, I have seen stagnation and regression in our journey. But, today, I can identify a road leading to the right direction.

After a long internal debate, Israel accepted the two-state solution. The Arabs replaced the three nays of Khartoun (no peace, no negotiation, no recognition) with a peace initiative, inaugurated by King Abdullah Abdul Azziz Al Saud.

I call upon the king to further his initiative. I invite, respectfully, all leaders to come and discuss peace in Jerusalem. Israel shall gladly accept an Arab invitation at a designated venue where a meaningful dialogue may take place.  •NER•

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