Security Council, 26 September 2008
I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for your stewardship of this council. As your presidency comes to an end, please accept my congratulations.
If a stranger was seated amongst us today, he would be under the impression that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are the primary and singular obstacle to peace in the region. It would appear to this stranger that Hamas’ violent coup in Gaza, its enormous smuggling of weapons, its constant missile attacks against Israeli towns and cities are not a problem. To this stranger, the phenomenon of terrorism against Israel and its citizens, including the attack in Jerusalem this week, is a fact of life.
To this stranger, Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, and its support of Hizbullah and Hamas are irrelevant details. To this stranger, President Ahmadinejad’s despicable calls to destroy Israel are just words. To this stranger, the transfer of weapons from Iran and Syria into northern and southern Lebanon and the rearmament of Hizbullah do not merit discussion. And with the same logic, books filled with hatred and anti-Israel incitement have nothing to do with a badly needed culture of peace.
Had this stranger arrived in these halls without any prior knowledge of the situation in the Middle East, he would not have known that these dangers and problems prevail in our region. Mysteriously, all pervious speakers failed to mention these facts. Israel’s settlements, however, falsely appear to be the principal issue. Something seems strangely amiss.
But, Mr. President, we are no strangers to the realities on the ground and to the mutual attempts to try to reach a real solution to the Arab-Israeli dispute.
A solution through mutual negotiations on the ground, not with words in the Security Council.
Mr. President,
We in Israel remain committed to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We in Israel are committed to a two-state solution with our Palestinian neighbors.
For us in Israel, the question is not whether to achieve a two state solution, but how to do so. Israel understands its responsibilities as the peace process moves forward. We continue to negotiate with the legitimate Palestinian leadership despite the complicated situation which includes, unfortunately, many threats and obstacles.
We are willing to discuss all aspects related to the conflict. I wish to state, without any ambiguity whatsoever: Israel is prepared, if the conditions are ripe, to make painful concession in the pursuit of peace. Israel has done so in the past because Israel desires peace.
Let me also state clearly that settlements are not an obstacle to peace. Yes, we understand the sensitivity of the issue of settlements in the eyes of our neighbors. Yes, there is also parallel sensitivity on our side due to the historic bond of the Jewish people to this biblical land.
However, while settlements remain a delicate issue, they are not the principal one. They have been used here as another instrument to bash Israel instead of addressing the realities on the ground.
Mr. President,
Any progress begins with a genuine dialogue among those committed to peace. It begins with the release of Israeli hostage Corporal Gilad Shalit and an end to all terrorist attacks. It begins with a renewal of everyone’s commitment to the two-state solution and an acceptance of the basic principle that each people’s rights are to be realized in their own homeland. It begins by overcoming all the threats to the realization of peace.
While the peace process between us and the Palestinians is essentially a bilateral one, the rest of the Arab world has an important, vital role indeed since this peace will bind together Israelis, Palestinians, and all moderates in the region.
There is much that those in the region can do to support that process, but it is not about more UN meetings. It is, first and foremost, about commitment to prepare the people of the region for the price of peace, to accept the true meaning of peace, and to teach all the children of the Middle East the values of tolerance and the blessings of coexistence. Not values of incitement and hatred.
The Arab world is a pivotal player in any effort to strengthen elements within the Palestinian leadership. You have a critical responsibility to support the moderate Palestinian Authority and denounce Hamas.
You must condemn terrorism and incitement. You must reject extremism, such as Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s toxic anti-Israel and anti-Semitic provocations. You must accept Israel’s existence and the Jewish people’s right of self-determination in our homeland.
To you, distinguished delegates from the Arab world, I say: Israel understands its responsibilities for peace. Faced with today’s Security Council discussion, we cannot but wonder, do you, Arab leaders, really understand your responsibilities?
Those who initiated this Security Council discussion in the belief that it will contribute to the promotion of peace are wrong. Efforts should be made on the ground by confronting all obstacles to peace, and by establishing confidence building measures with Israel.
Mr. President,
As I said before, our region is facing many threats. International terrorism, if to name one, is the black plague of the 21st century. May I ask how many times this council initiated serious debate on the threat of terrorism in the Middle East?
Some in this chamber might find comfort in the mantra that Israeli settlements are the primary impediment to peace. Yet this belief is utterly wrong and blind to historical realities.
Let me take you back to the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt signed 30 years ago. Let me take you back to Gaza in 2005.
Time and time again, Israel has demonstrated to itself and to the world that settlements –– no matter how sensitive an issue –– are not the obstacle to peace when the conditions are ripe.
Mr. President,
The Middle East is at a critical juncture and the moderate Arab states have two paths before them. One leads us down a road of excuses, and false alibis as the peace process stumbles. The other path is one that creates the foundations for a just and lasting peace.
Today’s meeting comes dangerously close to choosing the first option. We all must choose the second, the road to peace.
In his remarks to the General Assembly two days ago, Israeli President Shimon Peres extended yet another olive branch to the Arab world, stating –– and I quote –– “Israel invites all leaders to come and discuss peace in Jerusalem, which is holy to all of us…Israel shall gladly accept an Arab invitation to a designated venue where meaningful dialogue may take place…”
Today we echo this call and urge our Arab neighbors to reciprocate President Peres’ offer. Calling politically-motivated meetings such as today’s at the Security Council serves no such goal.
The initiative to hold today’s discussion in the Security Council and the presentations we have seen and heard here do not promote peace. Only bilateral negotiations will help us achieve a just and lasting peace.
Mr. President,
In contrast, I would like to draw the attention of the Council to the bilateral talks that were taking place in recent weeks between Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni and their Palestinian counterparts on all substantive issues.
What could be more symbolic, in further contrast to today’s Security Council meeting, than the meeting that took place a short while ago in this very building two floors below us between President Shimon Peres and President Mahmoud Abbas.
True progress is made through such bilateral meetings. This is the only way to move forward, the only way to achieve peace.
Thank you.
