Commemoration of the late Yitzhak Rabin

Your Majesties,
Mrs. Leah Rabin,
President Clinton,
President Ahtisaari,
Prime Minister Barak,
Prime Minister Putin,
President Arafat,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,

“We say to you today in a loud and clear voice: Enough of blood and tears. Enough. We have no desire for revenge. We harbour no hatred towards you. We - like you - are people who want to build a home, to plant a tree, to love, to live side by side with you in dignity, in empathy, as human beings, as free men. We are today giving peace a chance, and saying again to you: Enough.”

These are the words of Yitzhak Rabin. They were spoken on the lawn of the White House on 13 September 1993, at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Principles. A moment before, he had stated, “Let me say to you, the Palestinians: We are destined to live together on the same soil, in the same land”. And Rabin, who knew more about war than most, added, “Let us pray that a day will come when we will all say: Farewell to arms”.

Two years later Yitzhak Rabin - this man of extraordinary vision and courage - was struck down by an assassin´s bullet.

The bullet took his life, deprived his family of a beloved husband and father, and bereaved Israel of one of its great sons. But it did not reach the other target at which it was aimed. The peace process lives on.

Today we have come together here in Oslo City Hall to honour Yitzhak Rabin and what he stood for – peace, justice and reconciliation. And it was here that Yitzhak Rabin, together with President Yasser Arafat and Minister Shimon Peres, both of whom we are honoured to have among us today, received the Nobel Peace Prize on 10 December 1994.

The destiny of a nation is shaped by ideas, technological advances and social change. But sometimes its destiny can be moulded by the vision and courage of an individual. Yitzhak Rabin was one such individual. He demonstrated the difference one human being, one politician, can make to the course of history.

In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, President Yasser Arafat said that the prize was not awarded to “crown an achievement, but as an encouragement to pursue a course with greater steps and deeper awareness, with truer intentions so that we may transform the peace option, the peace of the brave, from words into practice and reality”.

These are words of wisdom. But at the same time, that first breakthrough was an achievement in its own right, and one to which he made a vital contribution.

But it was a first achievement - not the crowning achievement. That still lies ahead.

This is why it was so important to set ambitious goals: a framework agreement between Israel and the Palestinians within four months and a permanent status agreement within eleven. These goals reflect our sense of urgency. Achieving them will take creativity, compromise and courage.

I can think of no better way to pay homage to Yitzhak Rabin and his legacy than by bringing his dream - what Yasser Arafat called the peace of the brave – closer to reality. Let us recall the words of the Bible, “Blessed are the peacemakers”.

The Middle East peace process has many friends. They are here today. Friends must be there for the good times – and they must be there when the going gets rougher.

The tireless efforts of President Clinton and the United States are crucial to the peace process. Egypt, Jordan and Morocco have made invaluable contributions. The European Union is playing an essential role, politically and economically. As a co-sponsor the Russian Federation has made a major contribution . The United Nations and the World Bank are essential instruments. As we know all too well, lasting peace will only prevail when the economic and social underpinnings are secured.

Norway is proud that Oslo has lent its name to the first historic agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. My government will continue to support the peace process in every way it can. This is a political and a moral imperative.

On the White House lawn on that same historic day, 13 September 1993, President Clinton said, “Throughout the Middle East, there is a great yearning for the quiet miracle of a normal life.”

Let us rededicate ourselves to making that quiet miracle happen.

Thank you.

Before I leave the podium, it is my honour to introduce a woman who, despite her profound personal loss, has retained her strong commitment to the cause that unites us here today. When I met with her yesterday, she said something that I think we should all remember: Peace is security.

Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mrs. Leah Rabin.