Yitzhak Rabin Memorial
November 4, 2003

Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to welcome you all here to Jerusalem, that is, the Jerusalem hall at the Israeli embassy to the United States in Washington DC. It is a great pleasure to see so many personal friends, friends of the embassy, and most importantly, friends of the state of Israel and friends of Yitzhak Rabin.

We are very privileged to be here with Secretary Kissinger, Congressman Saxton, Assistant Secretary Bill Burns, Mr. Elliot Abrams, and all of you who came here today.

It is already 8 years since this tragic murder took place when a despicable murderer cut short the life of a great Israeli, a great hero, and a great leader.

The memories are so fresh and are tragic. And the pain and grief that all of us in Israel feel are just as vivid as they were on that day, 8 years ago.

In Israel, we are not used to changing leaders through bullets, but through ballots. The murder was not only of a beloved Israeli hero, but also it was an attack against our core institutions and our democratic values. We were shaken to the core. But we prevailed. We prevailed because of Yitzhak Rabin's legacy.

He was the chief of staff who delivered us from the Six Day War that was forced upon us. He was then Ambassador here in Washington. It was during his time here that the special relationship between Israel and the United States was forged, and we all appreciate and value it now. I am proud to say now that the relationship between Israel and the United States has never been better than it is today. It is because of the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin.

There is much said about the common bond between the two countries based on our values and common threats. But also, in a very unique way, our histories are entwined. If you look back on how America was formed and how Israel was, we are people who often came with broken spirits, to find a new home in new frontiers of excellence with equality to all.

Also, very tragic and traumatic events helped shape America and Israel. All Americans felt like Israelis on the tragic day of 9-11. And we all in Israel felt like Americans when Rabin was murdered, when former American presidents were murdered, and lastly, in this generation, we still remember vividly the loss the beloved American president, JFK. So we know each other, we feel the same and much of it is because of the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin.

Yitzhak Rabin was an "Ohev Shalom v'rodef shalom." Not only a lover of peace, but a pursuer of peace.

He once said, "Enough of blood and tears. Enough!" When Israel's partners arrive at that same conclusion, Israel will embrace the opportunity to pursue a true peace with them.

Prime Minister Sharon has always said that for a genuine and durable peace, we are willing to make painful concessions. And I don't think that there is any other people in the world who have voluntarily and willingly made painful concessions of giving up parts of its homeland, where its cradle of nationality and history was formed. Without even a war- just to make peace.

We come today not only to mourn Yitzhak Rabin. We come also to honor and salute him. There is no better way to honor and salute him than having Secretary Kissinger do this task. Dr. Kissinger needs no introduction. It is actually very difficult to introduce him because there is nothing that can be said about him that has not been said in the past. He is a statesman's statesman who's vision and courage as a leader literally changed the course of history. His formidable intellect and prowess is well known, his books are textbooks for scholars and diplomats alike. The only thing I can say is that what Mozart is to music or Van Gough is to painting, so is Dr. Kissinger to diplomacy. We are very honored to have him here with us.