[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
[September 12, 1994]
[Pages 1533-1534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to Organizations of the Jewish Community
September 12, 1994

    Prime Minister Rabin, ladies and gentlemen, I'm very pleased to have 
this chance to address all of you, gathered from some 70 communities 
across the United States.
    It is with thanks for the remarkable year we have just lived and 
optimism for the New Year that I wish you peace, health, and happiness 
in the months ahead. Shana Tova!
    What a year it's been. Twelve months ago tomorrow I was privileged 
to host Prime Minister Rabin and Chairman Arafat on the South Lawn of 
the White House. Many of you were there to witness their historic 
handshake, which marked the dawn of a new era in the Middle East, one of 
conciliation and hope. Their brave, historic act paved the way for 
others.

[[Page 1534]]

    This summer, King Hussein of Jordan and Prime Minister Rabin at the 
White House came here to end the state of war between Israel and Jordan 
and to start down the road of warm friendship and cooperation. As Prime 
Minister Rabin stated then so eloquently, ``A million eyes all over the 
world are watching us now with great relief and great joy. Yet another 
nightmare of war may be over. At the same time, millions of eyes in the 
Middle East are looking at us now with great hope, heartfelt hope, that 
our children and grandchildren will know no more war.''
    I applaud Israel's courage, and I salute the Arab leaders--including 
the King of Morocco, who last week began the process of establishing 
diplomatic relations with Israel--for standing up for the naysayers and 
embracing change. By working to secure a future of peace and prosperity, 
these far-sighted statesmen will fulfill their people's hopes and their 
yearnings for the quiet miracle of a normal life.
    Already we see the fruits of their efforts. Palestinians and 
Israelis are learning every day how to live side by side in peace. 
Jordanian planes may now fly over Israel. Tourists visiting the Dead Sea 
can cross from Eilat to Aqaba. These are small steps, but they lay the 
foundation for much greater strides to come.
    Now, the international community must do all it can to ensure that 
Arabs and Israelis realize the full benefits of peace. At the same time, 
we have a right to expect that the participants in the peace process 
live up to their commitments. And we also hope that all those in the 
region who have been urging us to continue to play an energetic role 
will do their part, too, in particular by taking steps now to dismantle 
the Arab boycott of Israel.
    As we look to the year ahead, I hope and I believe that we'll see 
even greater progress toward a comprehensive peace in the region, a 
peace that joins Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, Syrians, and 
Lebanese so that all their children will come to know a better future. 
More than 100 of these children, participants in the 1994 Seeds for 
Peace program that have met at the White House this past Friday before 
returning to their homes, they just spent a month together in Maine, 
learning about one another, breaking down barriers, building ties.
    These young men and women told me that in just a few short weeks, 
first names replaced ethnic and religious labels. Mistrust turned into 
curiosity. Fear gave way to friendship. These kinds of person-to-person 
relationships, multiplied thousands of times through business ventures, 
joint projects, trade, and regional cooperation, will help ensure that 
the olive branch of peace stretches its bough across the entire Middle 
East.
    Nurturing peace is hard work. The dark forces of terror remain 
deeply entrenched, as horrible attacks against Jews in Argentina, 
Panama, and England recently demonstrated. But despite these terrible 
acts, it's essential that the American Jewish community continue its 
support for peace and the peace process.
    As we move ahead, I urge you to keep the faith, because Israel, for 
the first time in its history, has the opportunity to achieve real 
peace. And I pledge to you that we will do our part to make sure that it 
is a lasting and secure peace.
    I understand that in a few moments my friend Prime Minister Rabin 
will speak to you from Jerusalem. I want to reiterate to him my 
admiration for all he's done for his people and for the cause of peace.
    Yitzhak, I wish you and your people a very Happy New Year. And 
remember, you've got an open invitation to visit the White House, 
because every time you come here we seem to move a step closer to 
lasting peace in the Middle East.
    My fellow Americans, I hope that 12 months from now when we take 
stock of the year ahead, we'll have even more happy events to celebrate. 
Working together for peace, I believe we will.
    Thank you.

Note: The address to the Council of Jewish Federations and the 
Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations was taped on 
September 10 at 10:45 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the White House and 
was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 12. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of this address.