[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11356-11357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           ELECTION OF EHUD BARAK AS PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate Ehud Barak, on his 
victory in the recent Prime Ministerial election in Israel. Mr. Barak 
is a man of courage and a proven leader. He is eminently capable of 
leading our closest ally in the Middle East at this important juncture 
in its history. His resounding victory reaffirmed the Israeli people's 
strong desire for peace.
  Not only was the election a victory for Mr. Barak, it was also a 
victory for Israeli democracy. Nearly four out of five Israeli citizens 
over the age of 18 cast ballots on May 17, 1999. That figure is even 
more astounding when you consider that Israelis--even those living 
oversees--are not permitted to cast absentee ballots. More than ten 
thousand Israelis purchased airline tickets and traveled great 
distances in order to exercise their right to vote. This dedication to 
the most basic pillar of democracy is enviable, for if people fail to 
exercise their right to vote they quickly lose their voice.
  This election also marked an important milestone. For the first time 
in Israel's history, an Arab campaigned for Prime Minister. Although 
Azmi Bishara withdrew from the race shortly before the election in 
order to boost the chances of Mr. Barak, he should be commended for his 
courage in running. While members of Israel's Arab minority have long 
been represented in the Knesset--Israel's parliament--Mr. Bishara's 
campaign demonstrated that

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Arabs are welcome in all segments of Israel's political life.
  Mr. Barak is both a true son of Israel and a worthy leader of the 
only democracy in the Middle East. Born on a Kibbutz six years before 
Israel's independence, he has served his country well as its most 
decorated soldier, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, Member 
of the Knesset, Minister of the Interior and Foreign Minister.
  After the polls closed on May 17th, when it was clear that he had 
been elected, Mr. Barak traveled to Rabin Square in the center of Tel 
Aviv. Standing just feet from the spot where an assassin's bullet 
struck Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin three and a half years ago, the 
Prime Minister-elect renewed his commitment to the Peace Process Prime 
Minister Rabin courageously began. It was a fitting tribute to Israel's 
fallen leader.
  Making peace is not an easy endeavor. Indeed, it is often more 
difficult to make peace than to wage war. As Prime Minister Rabin often 
said, one does not make peace with one's friends, one makes peace with 
one's enemies. Barak, like Rabin, has proven himself a great general on 
the battlefield. Now he must prove himself worthy of the even more 
exalted title of peacemaker. I am confident that Ehud Barak will indeed 
earn that title, making Israel's second fifty-years devoid of the wars 
which characterized its first fifty years.
  Mr. President, the United States is one of Israel's closest allies. 
Under the stewardship of Mr. Barak, I am confident that relationship 
will only grow stronger. I look forward to a close collaboration 
between our two nations on issues ranging from security to trade. Most 
importantly, however, is the struggle to bring peace to a region which 
has seen far too many wars.

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