    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 13, 1996]
    [Pages 443-444]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel
    March 13, 1996

        Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker, members of the Israeli
    Government, representatives of the people of Israel. I am honored to be
    here today, again, to stand with you in a time of pain and mourning and
    challenge. We grieve with you in the loss of innocent lives; we pray
    with you for the scores who lie wounded; we stand with you in the
    unceasing battle against those who commit these awful crimes. Your
    journey is our journey, and America will be with you every step of the
    way.
        The attacks we mourn claimed Israeli lives, although others,
    including Americans, died as well. But these attacks were aimed at all
    who yearn for a better day for this region, for all who believe that
    peace is better than war. The enemies of peace have grown desperate and
    more vicious as the reality of peace has moved closer. But we must not
    let the acts of the wicked few destroy the dreams of the many. Together
    we must restore the security that building peace requires. Those who
    practice terror must not succeed. We must root them out, and we will not
    let them kill the peace.
        In this time you are not alone. I have flown here with the Prime
    Minister, as he said, from Sharm al-Sheikh, from a Summit of Peacemakers
    that is unprecedented in the history of the Middle East. At the urging
    of many who were once Israel's sworn enemies--Egypt, Jordan, the
    Palestinians--29 leaders came together, 13 of them from Arab countries.
    There were Israel neighbors, there were other Arab nations, nations from
    Europe, North America, and Asia. All have long labored for peace. All
    are now united against the terror aimed at Israel. They came to support
    with deeds as well as words the peace process and the restoration of
    security and new efforts against terrorism.
        Only a few years ago, such a meeting would have been inconceivable.
    Only a few weeks ago, such a meeting would have been hard to imagine.
    Just a few days ago, this remarkable meeting was put together.
        The leaders of this area have met only a handful of times, and then
    always to celebrate events on the road to peace. But today they met in
    common cause to take action to confront the urgent threat of terrorism,
    to show that Hamas, Hezbollah, the Islamic Jihad will not succeed in
    killing the peace.
        Now many of Israel's neighbors in the region have demonstrated that
    they share your desire for peace, and they understand that extremist
    violence is also their enemy. The nations that met in Sharm al-Sheikh
    sowed the seeds for a new cooperation to build peace and to confront
    those who would destroy it. The Middle East is changing; we must not, we
    will not let terror reverse history.
        Sharm al-Sheikh was a beginning. Tomorrow we will press forward when
    I and senior administration officials meet with the Prime Minister and
    his key security advisers. We will discuss concrete steps the United
    States can take to help the IDF and the Israeli police defeat those who
    would murder and maim. No one takes greater personal risks on behalf of
    peace than the brave men and women of Israel's security forces, like
    those who are standing here. America is determined to support them in
    every way and to provide them with the means they need to prevail
    against extremism and violence.
        I have visited this beautiful and holy land before. I have
    celebrated a great event on the road to peace. I have mourned Prime
    Minister Rabin. Today I come again in sorrow but also in determination
    with this message from the

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    American people: The United States stands more strongly than ever,
    shoulder-to-shoulder, with Israel. We will work with you as you strive
    for a secure peace. We will stand by your side until Israelis come to
    know that peace with security within this land is a reality, ``until,''
    in the words of the prophet, ``the voice of joy and the voice of
    gladness are heard again in the cities and the hills of Israel.''
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:21 p.m. at Ben-Gurion Airport. In his
    remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Shimon Peres of Israel and Sheval
    Weis, Speaker of the Knesset.