More Quotes
“Twenty years ago today, with the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, the world lost a remarkable leader and visionary. Twenty years later, as today’s outpouring shows, we continue to feel his absence and mourn his loss. I offer my deepest sympathy to his family and to the Israeli people as they remember the contributions of a man who dedicated his life to his country and paid the ultimate price for pursuing peace.
Prime Minister Rabin will forever be remembered for the sacrifices he made for a greater good, for his gifts as a diplomat and statesman, and for his profound empathy and courage. His memory should serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that his vision of two states for two peoples – with security and peace for all – becomes a reality.” (US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power in a statement, 04/11/2015)
“Prime Minister Rabin dedicated his life to the security of his homeland. He died after courageously seizing on the need and the opportunity to embark on serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians, recognizing that, as he said, ‘you don’t make peace with friends; you can only make peace with your enemies.’” (UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a statement, 04/11/2015)
“I profoundly believe that achieving lasting peace through a two-state solution will be the best long-term guarantee of Israel’s security. But boycotts won’t help achieve that goal. I agree with the 150 leading British cultural figures – including JK Rowling, Simon Schama and Hilary Mantel – that we need more cultural collaboration, not less.” (British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey writing in Yediot Ahronot, 03/11/2015)
“We all have joint dream, a joint Israeli hope. We disagree on the path but we dream of an Israel in which righteousness lights the way…Dear friends, you who stand before me, young men and women, youth movement leaders and members, from the Right and Left, ultra-Orthodox, religious, secular, Jews and Arabs – young leaders, the best and brightest of our land…the fact that we are all standing here this evening, together by your initiative, is your victory, and it is our victory.” (President Reuven Rivlin at the Rabin Memorial ceremony, 31/10/2015)
“The Middle East is going through dramatic changes and experiencing generational crises that threaten Israel from every direction. And for Israel, the current regional situation presents daily threats to the state, its economy, and its democracy.
As we have since its founding, the United States stands with Israel, and we always will. Israel is a cornerstone of our strategy in the Middle East, and its security is a top priority for America, for our military, and for President Obama, and me, personally.
Minister Ya’alon, President Obama, and Prime Minister Netanyahu have all called the closest of the U.S.-Israel defense relationship unprecedented. And they’re right.” (US Defence Secretary Ash Carter speaking alongside Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, 28/10/2015)
“It is vital Israel take steps that empower Palestinian leaders to improve economic opportunities, quality of life for their people … It is equally important for Palestinian leaders to cease the incitement of violence and to offer something more than rhetoric.” (US Secretary of State John Kerry speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, 28/10/2015)