[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16726-S16727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRAGEDY FOR ISRAEL AND THE WORLD

  Mr. MACK. Mr. President, the death of Yitzhak Rabin was many things--
the loss of a hero, a blow to the momentum of the peace process, a vile 
act of political terror. Israel, whose people are accustomed to tragedy 
and unspeakable inhumanity, has been confronted with something 
unexpectedly sinister. An attack from within. While Israel has taught 
the rest of the free world to bear the burden of terrorism and fight 
back, it has never had to cope with the assassination of a leader by a 
fellow citizen. Something has changed forever with the death of Yitzhak 
Rabin. But much more remains the same.
  In the aftermath of the tragedy, Israelis poured out into the 
streets, lighting candles and keeping an all night vigil of prayer. The 
next day, as Yitzhak Rabin lay in state at the Knesset, a million 
mourners--a quarter of Israel's population--paid their respects. 
Israelis of all political viewpoints united to mourn their prime 
minister. In a unique and historic tribute, leaders of Arab countries, 
including King Hussein of Jordan and President Mubarak of Egypt, and a 
Palestinian delegation, attended the funeral alongside mourners from 
all over the world. Finally, Israel's leader in war and peace was laid 
to rest at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem's military cemetery, near graves of 
other soldiers who died defending Israel.
  Just before the funeral began, a siren sounded across Israel, 
signaling Israelis everywhere to observe a moment of silence. Every 
year, on Israel's Memorial Day, this siren signals Israelis to stop 
whatever they are doing to honor the nation's fallen soldiers. On 
Monday, heads of state and royalty from all over the world paid tribute 
to Yitzhak Rabin. Yet it is the image of Israel's people, making 
pilgrimages to his home in Jerusalem, lining the route of the funeral 
procession, and standing silently during the siren that epitomizes for 
me the death of a hero.
  Time and time again, Israel has endured crises and tragedies. Time 
and time again the Israeli people have grown stronger and more 
committed to their Zionist mission. The people of Israel have, in a 
short time, accomplished many dramatic successes. They have farmed the 
desert. They have welcomed hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants 
from diverse backgrounds, not to mention refugees from Vietnam, and 
Bosnia. They have fought wars, and repelled terrorist attacks, while 
establishing a democratic Jewish state, based on the rule of law. I 
have been to Israel and met with its leaders and ordinary citizens. 
Now, as Israel faces yet another difficult challenge, I have faith that 
the Israeli people will come together in their grief to carry on 
Israel's role as the strongest democracy and United States ally in the 
Middle East. 

[[Page S 16727]]

  It is very difficult to imagine Israel without Yitzhak Rabin. His 
life and career tracked the dramatic events of Israel's founding. He 
oversaw the development of its army, commanding it at one of its most 
perilous moments, the 1967 Six-Day War, and overseeing Israel's defense 
during the difficult period of the Intifada. He worked to strengthen 
the United States-Israel alliance as Israel's Ambassador to Washington. 
As Prime Minister, he worked for peace while safeguarding Israel's 
security. Finally, let no one forget, he gave his life for peace. There 
is a Hebrew saying invoked in times of mourning, ``May his memory be a 
blessing.'' Yitzhak Rabin's life was a blessing to Israel, and to the 
world. His memory will serve as an inspiration to all of us in the 
difficult days ahead.

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