AIPAC Minnesota: Thursday, August 24, 2000Thank you very much for the warm introduction, Rudy. We all know that you have been a strong and proud supporter of Israel over the years. Yet, many here may not know of your "grassroots" efforts to promote Jewish continuity. During Rudy's tenure in the Senate, he often hosted holiday mixers for Jewish staff on the Hill. I am told that there are a quite few married couples who can tell the story of when they first met at Rudy Boschwitz's Purim party.
It is my pleasure to be here -- in Minnesota -- for the first time. It is difficult for an Israeli to imagine a "land of ten thousand lakes". We have one and we call it a sea to make ourselves feel better about it. Could we borrow three? Four lakes? I am not asking for much. Small ones would be fine. How about lake Calhoun?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In January, when I began my term as Ambassador, one of my immediate priorities was to meet with AIPAC's Executive Committee. I wanted the committee to know that I have the highest personal regard for AIPAC. Since that time, I have worked quite closely with my good friends at AIPAC's Washington office to further strengthen our great partnership. I must commend Howard Kohr and his entire staff. From a professional perspective, I can say quite confidently that AIPAC has been invaluable to me.
This past May, I had the pleasure of attending my first AIPAC policy conference. And, in the last few weeks, I have attended AIPAC events at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. These have been eye-opening experiences -- underscoring the vast influence AIPAC commands in Washington and across this nation. We all know there is no substitute for AIPAC. It is difficult to fully express our appreciation for your work.
From the time I flew missions in the Six-Day War to my term as National Security Advisor, the strategic environment in the Middle East has changed dramatically.
Today, national security is no longer a simple measure of military ability. In assessing our national security, we take into account a variety of other factors including the strength of our economy and educational system. However, unlike most countries, Israel has an additional strategic asset - one that exists outside of Israel - the bipartisan support of the United States Congress. By strengthening this support, AIPAC contributes directly to Israel's national security.AIPAC has been our partner for half a century. From Prime Ministers Ben-Gurion to Barak we have faced many challenges together. AIPAC was at the forefront of Israel's struggle for survival and it is reassuring to have you with us, as Israel takes the final steps on the road to peace.
I know that you share our disappointment with results of the Camp David Summit. Abba Eban famously stated, "The Palestinians never fail to miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity". At Camp David, the Palestinians missed what may have been their biggest opportunity yet.
Peace has been the cornerstone of Prime Minister Barak's political platform. The Prime Minister arrived at the Camp David Summit prepared to make substantial compromises to bring the hundred-year conflict to an end. He was not afraid to chart new territory and went right to the core of the conflict. For the first time ever, the most complex issues - settlements, Palestinian refugees, borders and Jerusalem -- were put on the table. Prime Minister Barak was willing to "go the extra mile" for peace, while guarding Israel's vital interests. And, he was praised by President Clinton and much of the international community for doing so.
Unfortunately, Chairman Arafat was unprepared to make the kind of hard compromises needed to reach an agreement. He wanted Prime Minister Barak to pay an impossible price for peace - all of East Jerusalem. There is no question that Prime Minister Barak - and the Israeli people - want peace, but not peace at all costs.
Although an agreement was not reached, we should not underestimate the value of the Summit. Much has been said and written about the "taboos" that were broken. Just by broaching the most difficult issues, we have opened the door to new possibilities and creative solutions. Israel remains committed and determined to leave no stone unturned in this historic quest for peace. Indeed, the dream of peace is still very much alive.
Winston Churchill once said, "Peace cannot be won like war. It is the task of each new day. It must be worked at in little things and big things, so long as we draw breath". I assure you that each day, we renew our commitment to bring an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Should our partners find the courage to share our determination, we will not only forge an historic agreement, we will build a better future for the children of the region - Arab and Israeli alike.
In the aftermath of Camp David, it is clear that negotiations are the only way to reach a peaceful settlement. The international community - even Arab states - have called on Chairman Arafat to continue negotiations and avoid conflict. As agreed upon in the trilateral statement signed at Camp David, unilateral actions and violence are unacceptable. And, they could spell the end of the peace process.
In its seven years, the Oslo process has had ups and downs. Yet, through all of the turbulence, neither side has abandoned the process. There is no reason to do so now, as we are closer than ever before to bringing the process to a peaceful conclusion.
September 13 is only three short weeks away. We are still optimistic that a final peace agreement can be achieved in the near future. To do so will require courage on both sides of the negotiating table. We hope that other parties in the Middle East will assist us in achieving an agreement.
As Victor Hugo wrote, "There is one thing stronger than all of the armies in the world; that is an idea whose time has come". The time has come for peace. The time has come to build the Middle East of tomorrow.
As we face these historic challenges - particularly in this political season in the U.S. -- it is comforting to know that we are not alone. As always, Israel looks to the future with AIPAC by its side. Working together we can create the conditions, once and for all, for a peaceful, prosperous and secure Israel for generations to come.
