[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO PRIME MINISTER YITZAHK RABIN

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, November 7, 1995

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, reflecting on Rabin's life, I realize that 
he has much in common with the prophets of the Bible. Like Abraham and 
Moses, Rabin pursued a vision amidst tremendous adversity. Rabin sought 
to fulfill the dream of establishing a Jewish state, of making his 
people a nation among the nations. In pursuing this vision, he 
demonstrated tremendous courage and leadership.
  Rabin was the pragmatic general who understood that one cannot rely 
on diplomacy alone, but must also be prepared to defend oneself. To 
that end, he built up Israel's Defense Forces and led troops to victory 
against tremendous odds in Israel's numerous wars. In Israel's war of 
independence in 1948, Rabin played an integral role by serving as the 
commander of the Palmach's Harel Brigade and by repelling Egyptian 
forces from the Negev desert. In the 1967 six day war, as chief of 
staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Rabin brilliantly commanded 
Israel's defense forces in taking the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and 
the Golan Heights. As Prime Minister in 1976, Rabin authorized the 
legendary Entebbe military operation, in which Israel rescued 103 
airline passengers held hostage by the PLO.
  Rabin's chief concern was always the security of the state of Israel. 
As Ambassador to the United States from 1968 to 1972, Rabin 
strengthened relations between the United States and Israel, persuading 
the United States to supply Israel with arms essential to its survival. 
As Defense Minister from 1984 to 1990, Rabin continued to strengthen 
Israel's military establishment. Rabin's focus on security is also 
apparent in his joint service as both Prime Minister and Minister of 
Defense from 1992 until his assassination.
  Rabin was not just a superb strategist and war hero, but also a 
peacemaker. Although he witnessed thousands of soldiers die in the six 
day war and possessed a profound understanding of the strategic 
importance of the territories, Rabin pursued the dream of peace by 
signing an interim peace agreement with the Palestinians. In pursuing 
peace, Rabin hoped that Israel would become a normal state, a state no 
longer at war with its neighbors and a state that would no longer have 
to constantly sacrifice its young men to wars.
  Rabin's leadership on the battlefield and at the peace table provides 
great lessons to us all. Unlike so many of our political leaders of our 
time, Rabin did not consult the polls to determine his policies. 
Instead, he followed a bold vision and refused to allow extremists to 
prevent him from realizing his vision of peace. No matter how low his 
public approval ratings were and no matter how many funerals he 
attended of Israeli victims of suicide bombings, Rabin remained 
steadfast in his commitment to implementing the Oslo agreement. Rabin 
was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for peace and was justly 
rewarded for doing so when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
  The legacy of Rabin's life is tremendous. Nearly 100 years after the 
First Zionist Congress, convened in Switzerland in 1897, Rabin brought 
his country closer than ever before to peace with its neighbors. Those 
who came to pay their respects yesterday were a testament to the 
tremendous changes he brought about in the region. The attendance of 40 
world leaders, including Jordan's King Hussein and Egypt's Hosni 
Mubarak, demonstrates the respect he instilled in so many people for 
his leadership, including his former enemies.
  The assassination demonstrates that the peace process is a fragile 
process and therefore, the United States must remain unequivocally 
committed to our close ally Israel.
  Rabin served Israel as both a warrior and a peacemaker, continually 
pursuing the dream of political normalcy for Israel. May his memory be 
a blessing to us all and may we learn from his extraordinary example of 
leadership, vision, and courage. Our thoughts and prayers are with his 
wife Leah, his loving family, and all the people of Israel during this 
sad and difficult time.

                          ____________________