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National Christian Leadership Conference for
Israel
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National Christian Leadership Conference for
Israel
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Speeches from the 2002 Pro Israeli Washington RallyWashington Mall, April 15, 2002 |
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| SPEAKERS
MORTIMER ZUCKERMAN and REP. DICK GEPHARDT Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz MARK SOKOLOW and other victims of terrorism |
MORTIMER ZUCKERMAN and REP.
DICK GEPHARDT
MC: Among the scores of organizations that have made this day possible, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has played a lead role in calling for this event and overseeing its organization. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mortimer Zuckerman, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. MR. MORTIMER ZUCKERMAN: Good afternoon everybody. It's a thrill to look around at this vast crowd and to be able to say how wonderful it is to live in a country where everybody can gather across racial and religious and ethnic lines to express their concerns. We should convey this to our children, those who are here, and those like my wonderful little girl, who is four years old, who are not here. And why are we here? We are here in such great numbers, on such short notice, resonating with passion and commitment to express two things. One, to express our solidarity with the president of the United States in America's struggle against terrorism – (Cheers) – and the other is to stand with Israel in her struggle against terrorists. (Cheers) We are here to express our sense of community with Israel, which feels alone and abandoned. Israel has joined the mountains of Afghanistan as the front line in the war against terrorism, and we are here, figuratively, to be with them in the foxhole that they are in. (Cheers) Let us remember why Israel came into being in the 20th century, as a version, in effect, of the rebuilding of the Temple. Israel was founded with the simple notion that Jewish powerlessness was to end – ending the inability of the Jews to defend themselves. Jews would now be able to take care of themselves. They would become self-reliant and no longer would Jewish destiny be determined and decided by others. Does anyone doubt that it is Israel's military strength to date that has saved so many Jews, that has saved Israel itself, including those who emigrated to Israel from Russia, from the Middle East, from North Africa, to escape persecution – (Cheers) – and indeed to prevent the emergence of the kind of evil that has so often victimized the Jews in the past? Now, Israel as a nation is entitled to use this strength in her self-defense to the same degree that any individual or any other state would be entitled to. (Cheers) Yet, when Israel takes action to ensure its very survival and that of its people, it is demanded that Israel act as if it has to win the moral man of the year award in order just to defend itself. But Israel deserves support not only when it's a victim, but also when it exercises its legitimate right of self-defense. (Cheers) Those nations and their media spokesmen who demand of Israel a standard of moral behavior that has never been demanded of others, were to follow, put Israel's existence at risk. They speak as if the response to terrorism of a civilized nation is the moral equivalent of the acts of terrorism themselves – as if there is no difference between the arsonist and the firefighter, as if terrorism against Israel was not the follow-up to the rejection of an extraordinarily generous proposal from an Israeli prime minister that was greeted not with Arab applause but by a premeditated campaign of violence and terror. (Cheers) America and Israel understand that international approval must not be the equivalent of a suicide pact. Fortunately, Americans know and see the difference between good and evil, between Western values and barbarism, between an island of democracy with a free press and the rule of law in a region of tyrants and cleptocrats. That is why, in a CBS poll taken just 10 days ago, 52 percent supported Israel and only 10 percent supported the Palestinians. (Cheers) This is especially true since November (sic) the 11th, when America and Israel were seen as allies in America's war against terrorism, and Americans remember that the Palestinians responded to September 11th by celebrating and dancing in the streets of Ramallah and Nablus, while Israel lowered its flag and declared a day of mourning. (Cheers) The Palestinians think that today they have the momentum to destroy civil life in Israel through the impact of their version of homicide bombings. Every month, Israel suffers proportionately to what America suffered on September the 11th. In March alone, Israel experienced the equivalent of over six thousand American dead. No wonder this is what makes it impossible for Israelis to live their day-to-day lives, and for any Israeli government to stand by and do nothing. It is critical to break the Palestinian delusions that terrorism will destroy normal life in the Jewish state. (Cheers) But what Israel is facing on the other side is not a leader who focuses on education and opportunity, and economic development, and the building of a state, but rather focuses on the destruction of another state – Israel. After a decade of Arafat's administration, the main career opportunities of the Palestinian Authority lie in strapping on a "Yasser Arafat belt," filling it with explosives and then wandering into a shopping mall, a bar mitzvah, a cafe, a pizza parlor, a discotheque, or even more recently into a Passover dinner, and blowing up as many innocent Jewish civilians as possible. This was their career path, to gain another $25,000 from Saddam Hussein for the murderer's jackpot for every successful detonation. And now with the Saudis – (audio drops) – hundred million dollars in a telethon no less, supported by their king and crown prince – (cheers; boos) -- to create incentives for more terror. Israel deserves the world's support because their struggle is not for their homeland alone, justifiable as it is, but also because they are fighting a new and horrific form of terrorism that menaces all civilized society. As our secretary of defense said, the only way to deal with this form of terrorism was to get them before they get us, to go after them where they are – (Cheers) – in the understanding that terrorist sanctuaries cannot be allowed to be inviolable. This is what Israel is about now – to prevent the monster of terrorism from growing to be able to sink its teeth into civilized societies and draw more blood. America shares these concerns because these terrorists are the enemies of humanity. Today, they arouse the Arab street. Tomorrow, they will cause this street to send new disciples of this ritual of human slaughter to the west – (audio drops) In 1981, the Israelis destroyed the Iraqi nuclear reactor and were condemned by many in the world. (Cheers) We found out how far-sighted this policy was. And the youth of Israel will be recognized for fighting and helping – (inaudible) – reactor, the Palestinian ritual of – (inaudible) – terror by suicide. Thank you. (Cheers) Now, it is my pleasure to make a special introduction of a special – (inaudible) – the minority leader in the House of Representatives, Representative Dick Gephardt. (Cheers; applause) (inaudible) – in the great tradition of – (inaudible) – of both major parties – (inaudible) – security and the special relationship between Israel and the United States. He is a powerful and vocal advocate for working men and women, for health care, economic justice and strong U.S. leadership over democracy and human rights across the globe. Just last week, he completed a meeting of Democratic congressional leadership with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and reaffirmed congressional support for all steps to ensure Israel's security. He made a special effort to come here today. We greatly appreciate it. Please welcome a very good friend of Israel and of the Jewish community, Congressman Dick Gephardt. (Cheers) REP. DICK GEPHARDT (D-MO): Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to be here today. I want to introduce my colleagues who stand behind me in solidarity today. Robert Wexler of Florida. (Cheers) Peter Deutsch of Florida. (Cheers) Jerry Nadler of New York. (Cheers) Jane Harman of California. (Cheers) Al Wynn of Maryland. (Cheers) Steve Rothman of New Jersey. (Cheers) Ben Gilman of New York. (Cheers) Connie Morella of Maryland. (Cheers) Eric Cantor of Virginia. (Cheers) Brad Sherman of California. (Cheers) Anthony Weiner of New York. (Cheers) We stand before you today in solidarity with the people of Israel. (Cheers) We are defending a people, a democracy, and a friend that shares our commitment to universal values cherished by all. Since 1948, America has stood with Israel, when Harry Truman rejected the advice of his staff and formally recognized Israel as a sovereign nation. (Cheers) In his memoirs, Truman said that his decision was in part based on a meeting with Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who impressed him with a vision of a nation whose ideals endure to this day. Mr. Truman also said that he made the decision because it was the right thing to do. (Cheers) Since its birth, Israel has withstood many challenges – and America has stood with Israel through each of them. (Cheers) As Israel has overcome these challenges, it's become stronger, and our partnership has become stronger. Israel's strength and America's leadership have been essential in advancing our common goals. This is true today more than ever. We cannot stand on the sidelines as the prospects for peace are undermined. (Cheers) And we must not waver in our commitment to those – Israelis and Arabs alike – who have chosen the path of peace. (Cheers) Over the past several months, Israel has endured terrorist attacks unrelenting in their frequency and severity. In the past 18 months, more than 450 Israelis have been killed and over 4,000 have been wounded in these attacks. For a country the size of Israel, these numbers are staggering. Proportionally, this equates to more than 21,000 American deaths and over 200,000 American injuries. Yet the Israeli people remain strong. (Cheers) And they remain determined to increase their security and pursue a lasting peace in the region. The American people are also committed to these goals. As we face some of the most difficult days in Israel's history, we must remind ourselves of them. First, to preserve and strengthen Israel's security. (Cheers) Second, to help Israel and its neighbors end the current violence and the threats posed by terrorism. Third, to resume a dialogue among those committed to a just and lasting peace for all. To join us, the Palestinian Authority and other states in the region must turn unequivocally against terrorism. (Cheers) Chairman Arafat has not yet demonstrated a true commitment to peace, and the consequences have been devastating for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Terrorism must not be supported, condoned, or rewarded as we work for a resolution to this conflict. (Cheers) Four years ago, 50 years after America recognized the State of Israel, I traveled there to join in the celebrations commemorating its golden anniversary. Upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, I drove directly to the home of Leah Rabin in Tel Aviv. In a meeting filled with emotion, she recounted the vision of her husband Yitzhak – a vision of peace and security for Israel. He knew that for Israel to endure, its people needed strength. He knew that for Israel to prosper, its people needed peace. He knew that for Israel to achieve the vision of Chaim Weizmann, its people needed support. We will stand with Israel. We will stand for freedom. And we will stand for a future that brings peace and prosperity to all the people of the Middle East. (Cheers) God bless all of you, and God bless America and Israel. (Cheers) |
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