Speech arriving in Israel

Shimon PeresPrime Minister, may I first thank you for your warm welcome and say how delighted I am to be in Israel. My visit comes only four months after your own very successful and welcome visit to Britain.

And this is proof of the gathering momentum of our relations which I believe are as good now as they have ever been, and I pay tribute to the enormous personal contribution which you have made to that. [end p1]

I am no stranger to Israel.

I know well the pioneering and resourceful spirit of your people.

And I look forward to seeing at first hand some of the remarkable achievements since I was last here, particularly in the fields of science at the world famous Weizmann Institute and in agricultural research.

I shall also be visiting Ashqelon where I [end p2] shall be able to see something of how the Jewish community in Britain has been able to help Israel's development.

We are very proud of that community and of the unrivalled contribution which it has made to our national life in every field.

My visit will also be a chance to continue the very valuable discussions which you and I had, Prime Minister, in New York last October [end p3] and in London in January.

The Jewish people have built a nation and want to build peace so that you can enjoy the fruits of your success and share them with your neighbours.

Peace with security is your goal and we shall be discussing how we in Britain can help towards that—peace with security for Israel and for other peoples in the region. [end p4]

I am concerned that steps towards negotiations about peace appear to have lost momentum in recent months.

I don't believe that is your wish or that of the moderate and far-sighted Arab leaders with whom I have talked in recent months.

I hope that we shall be able to explore together practical steps which can be taken to build confidence where there is [end p5] now distrust and suspicion; and discuss, too, ways in which momentum can be restored to negotiations for a lasting peace which meets the needs of all the peoples of the area.

Prime Minister, I have been to your Arab neighbours as a friend.

I come to Israel as a friend.

Indeed an old friend. [end p6]

I want to help if I can. I am proud to be the first Prime Minister to make an official visit to Israel. I am proud to renew our historic relationship and I look forward to a happy and stimulating visit. Thank you, Prime Minister.