Speech at Memorial Ceremony for David Ben-Gurion
(November 27, 2006)
The
Honorable President,
Madam Speaker of the Knesset, Ms. Dalia Itzik,
Government Ministers,
Knesset Members,
The Ben-Gurion Family,
Distinguished Guests
Three years ago,
in my capacity as Vice Prime Minister for
Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon, I delivered
a speech here, and quoted from David Ben-Gurion’s
address at a 1949 Knesset debate on the
Armistice Agreements, in which he said:
“…when we were
faced with the choice between the entire
land of Israel without a Jewish State,
or a Jewish State without the entire land
of Israel – we
chose a Jewish State without the entire land
of Israel.”
This historic choice made by Ben-Gurion at the
conclusion of the War
of Independence was painful,
but courageous, heart-wrenching, but sober.
Cherished and beloved parts of our homeland – the
cradle of our history – remained beyond the
border, but a solid Jewish majority was guaranteed
in the State of Israel.
Time passed, Arab animosity and terrorism resulted
in more war, and some 40 years ago, Israel was
again faced with the difficult choice: many good
people advocated the vision of Greater Israel.
David Ben-Gurion, already a retired statesman,
ruled that in exchange for true peace, Israel must
relinquish a vast majority of the territories occupied
in the Six
Day War. Much has happened since
then, facts were established on the ground, agreements
were signed, the international and regional arena
changed beyond recognition.
The bloody conflict with the Palestinians has not
ended. Ben-Gurion’s basic diagnosis remained
valid and continues to guide – with the necessary
amendments – the position of Israeli governments
in our peace policy today.
Already at the time of Israel’s birth, Ben-Gurion
extended his hand in peace to the Arab nations. His
hand was rejected, but it remains extended. I
extend my hand in peace to our Palestinian neighbors,
hoping that it will not be rejected.
I wholeheartedly identify with the statements made
by Ben-Gurion regarding the duty of every government
in Israel to strive for peace: “I would consider
it a great sin, not only towards our generation
but towards future generations as well, if we
did not do everything in our power to reach a
mutual understanding with our Arab neighbors,
and if future generations had cause to blame
the Government of Israel of missing an opportunity
for peace….”
These are not easy times for the State and people
of Israel. These days, more than ever, it is
natural for us to come to this place, the burial
place of the Father of our revived nation, to draw
inspiration.
If I could seek Ben-Gurion’s counsel today, I believe
that he would have advised me to make the statements
which I intend to make to our Palestinian neighbors
today.
You, the Palestinian people, in the south and east,
in the Gaza
Strip and Judea
and Samaria, stand,
these very days, on the threshold of an historic
crossroads.
The terror, violence, murders and incessant attacks
against the citizens of Israel are liable to lead
us closer to a new and painful wave of terrible
violence. The uncompromising radicalism of your
terror organizations – the Hamas, Jihad, the El-Aksa
Martyrs’ Brigade and other
organizations – did not bring you closer to
attaining the goal which I am convinced many of you
share – the establishment of a Palestinian
state, which will guarantee you a future of prosperity
and which will exist in good neighborly relations
side-by-side with the State of Israel.
On the verge of making decisions which could plunge
us into an increasingly escalating conflict, I
come today, from here, near the tomb of David Ben-Gurion,
to suggest to you a different path – a path
which offers a chance for a different future, for
you and for us.
We started it the day before yesterday. We
embarked on this path – and I hope that it
will lead us forward towards the goal we all aspire
to – peace, tranquility and mutual trust. We
are ready and willing to pursue this path, and persevere
until we reach the sought-after solution.
If a new Palestinian government is established – a
government which will be committed to the principles
of the Quartet, implement the Roadmap and bring about
the release of Gilad Shalit, I will invite Abu-Mazen to meet with me immediately, in order to conduct
a real, open, genuine and serious dialogue between
us.
In the framework of this dialogue, and in accordance
with the Roadmap, you will be able to establish
an independent and viable Palestinian State, with
territorial contiguity in Judea
and Samaria – a State with
full sovereignty and defined borders.
In this framework, the borders of the State of
Israel will be defined, in accordance with President
Bush’s April 14th, 2004, letter to
Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon.
These borders will be different from the territories
currently under Israel’s control.
I understand the importance
which the Palestinian society attributes to the
issue of prisoners.
I hereby declare that when Gilad Shalit is released
and returned to his family, safe and sound, the
Government of Israel will be willing to release
numerous Palestinian prisoners – including ones who were sentenced
to lengthy prison terms – in order to increase
the trust between us and prove that our hand is truly
extended in genuine peace.
I said it before Gilad Shalit was abducted, and
I have not changed my position.
I know that many Palestinian families yearn for
the day when their loved ones will return home.
This day could be very close.
I believe that many of you are weary of the dreadful
price which you pay as a result of the violent
extremism of the terror organizations prevailing
in your streets.
I believe that many of you yearn for a new chapter
which we can open together in the bloody history
of our relations.
The cessation of terrorism and violence will enable
us to offer you a series of steps, which will be
taken in joint coordination, in order to facilitate
the improvement of the Palestinian population’s
quality of living, which was severely affected
as a result of our need to take defensive measures
against your terrorist actions.
We will significantly diminish the number of roadblocks,
increase freedom of movement in the territories,
facilitate movement of people and goods in both
directions, improve the operation of the border
crossings to the Gaza
Strip, and release Palestinian
funds for the purpose of alleviating the humanitarian
hardship which many of you suffer.
We can assist you in formulating a plan for the
economic rehabilitation of the Gaza
Strip and areas
in Judea and
Samaria.
We can assist you in the establishment of industrial
zones – in cooperation with the international
community – to create places of employment
and the means of earning a decent living, and to
relieve you of your ongoing dependence on employment
infrastructures in Israel.
We will seek the assistance of those neighboring
Arab States which strive for a peaceful solution
to the conflict between us, including: the Kingdom
of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi
Arabia and the Gulf States,
in order to benefit from their experience and receive
backing for direct negotiations between us.
The voices emanating from those States regarding
the need for recognition and normalization of relations
with the State of Israel – including, for example,
some parts in the Saudi
peace initiative – are
positive, and I intend to invest efforts in order
to advance the connection with those States and strengthen
their support of direct bilateral negotiations between
us and the Palestinians.
I have been following with great appreciation the
serious efforts made by those States to bring about
a cessation of violence in the region, and I respect
their sincere desire to create a new atmosphere
between us, so as to facilitate a solution to the
conflict.
The international circumstances which were created,
specifically at this time, allow you and us to
take a courageous step, which involves the need
to make painful compromises and forgo those dreams
which were part of our national ethos for so many
years, and to open a new chapter offering hope
for a better life for all of us.
We, the State of Israel, will agree to the evacuation
of many territories and communities which were
established therein. This is extremely difficult for us,
akin to the Parting of the Red Sea, but we will bear
it, in exchange for true peace.
You must stop the terror, violence and efforts
to harm Israeli citizens in the south, center and
north, recognize our right to live in peace and
security next to you, and relinquish your demand
for the realization of the right of return. It is a right goal,
a natural goal, an attainable goal.
If you demonstrate the necessary determination
and discipline, you will find in us a ready partner. The
State of Israel is a powerful State. Do not
be fooled by our internal differences, our political
rivalries or the gloomy atmosphere which we sometimes
project.
In a violent battle, we will prevail, even if it
is lengthy and even if it claims many victims;
even if it involves compromises on comfort or quality
of living, the State of Israel has proven its strength
in the past and is prepared for it today.
Do not put us to another test,
which will involve many casualties and destruction,
and which will lead to total hardship and despair.
The past cannot be changed, and the victims of
the conflict, from both sides of the border, cannot
be returned.
Dictates are futile and mutual accusations are
nothing but useless word games. Historic scores cannot
be settled and scars cannot be obliterated.
All we can do today is prevent further tragedies
and bequeath to the younger generation a bright
horizon and hope for a new life. Let us convert animosity
and the “honing of our swords” to mutual recognition,
respect and direct dialogue.
From here, from the edge of the cliff overlooking
the ancient landscape of the Tzin Creek – the
site chosen by David Ben-Gurion as a final resting
place for him and his wife Paula – the State
of Israel’s call for peace is heard clearly and decisively. May
it echo and be answered positively this time.
May the memory of David and Paula Ben-Gurion be
blessed.
Sources: Prime Minister's Office |