Speech at dinner for Israeli Prime Minister (Shimon Peres)

Shimon PeresMr. Prime Minister, Your Excellencies, my Lords, ladies and gentlemen.

Let me first of all extend a very warm welcome to No 10 Downing Street to the Prime Minister of the State of Israel and Mrs. Peres. We are delighted to have you with us, and wish you a happy and successful stay in Britain, where you will find yourselves among so many good friends. [end p1]

I am not sure whether all our guests here tonight know that last time you fell into our hands was in 1945.

We caught you on a camel in a restricted military area and locked you up for two weeks.

As everyone knows, to have been locked up by the British is essential for a successful political career in many countries of the world, so I'm glad that [end p2] we got you off to a good start!

History doesn't relate what happened to the camel.

Israel is small in geography but large in history. I like to think that this is one of the many characteristics which draws us together.

I would remind you of what Dean Ingeonce said:- [end p3]

The nations which have put mankind and posterity most in their debt have been small States—Israel, Athens, Florence, Elizabethan England.

We also share a taste for debate.

I remember that a former Israeli Prime Minister said:-

In Israel we have three million citizens who all think they are Prime Minister. The difference between them and me is that [end p4] every one of them thinks he knows more than I do.

Just recently I've had rather the same feeling.

And I am glad to say that it was the British born and British-educated first clerk of the Knesset, Mr. Moshe Rosetti, who introduced you to Parliamentary Questions. [end p5]

I am sure that you, Prime Minister, feel about Question Time the same way as I do.

Britain and Israel are also linked by many men and women who have loved both countries.

They have been so many and so distinguished that it is almost invidious to single out any individuals.

But I think it is legitimate to mention in particular Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the first [end p6] President of the State of Israel.

Both our countries had reason to be grateful to him, and we are both proud to claim him as our own.

To have had a chair at the world-renowned Weizmann Institute in Israel endowed in my name was a distinction which I never expected, but which has been an enormous source of pride to me. [end p7]

Your people have contributed to Europe's civilisation in every field.MT added in margin: Commerce, law, medicine, art, music, science

But even on a happy occasion such as tonight, we can never forget, never expunge, the appalling crime committed against them, against humanity itself.

Prime Minister, no-one who has visited Israel can be less than amazed by what you have achieved. [end p8]

But perhaps even more impressive than the achievements is the spirit of your people: pioneering, brave, resourceful, determined; an example of how indomitable will can overcome almost any problem.

That very fact makes it all the more urgent that you who have built a nation should also be able to build peace—so that you can [end p9] enjoy the fruits of your success and share them with your neighbours.

That was the vision of Chaim Weizmann.

You will remember that it was he who said:-

Whatever the Jewish national home will ultimately become, it will nevertheless remain an island in an Arab sea.

[end p10]

We have to come to an understanding with the people which is akin to us and with which we have lived in concord in the past.

Prime Minister, Britain is committed to a stable, peaceful future for the people of Israel. We want to see Israel prosper in harmony with its neighbours. [end p11]

Some progress towards that dream has been achieved. Israel and Egypt have again shown recently that patient, careful negotiation can produce results, and I congratulate you on that achievement.

We have also followed keenly the initiative of King Hussein of Jordan and Israel's response. You, Prime Minister, have urged the need for direct negotiations between Israel and [end p12] her near neighbour.

His Majesty King Hussein has called for negotiations to be conducted in an international framework for reasons which we understand well.

You also, in your speech to the United Nations General Assembly in October, spoke of creating such a framework.

It is never easy to preserve faith and hope in progress in the Middle East after [end p13] so many disappointments.

But your personal reputation as a man of peace, a man dedicated to seeking that peace with Israel's neighbours, is itself grounds for greater hope.

I know that every one of us here tonight wishes you well in your great endeavours to seek peace with security— [end p14]

Of course the problems which face you are formidable.

But the history of the Jewish people is the best evidence that such obstacles can be overcome.

Your first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, said:-

In Israel in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.

All I can say, Prime Minister, is that [end p15] there must be a lot of realists in Israel—because what you have already achieved is miraculous.

Let me ask you all to rise and drink a toast to Prime Minister and Mrs. Peres, to the friendship of Britain and Israel, and to the final miracle of peace.