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'I have come from Jerusalem.' Sharon giving U.N. speech
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Sharon (L) and Bush during U.N. summit
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Sharon (L) with Putin in New York
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Sharon: J'lem is Israel's eternal capital

Prime minister addresses General Assembly summit in New York, says, 'I am extending a hand to our Palestinian neighbors for compromise and reconcilliation; adds: Palestinians entitled to liberty and sovereign national existence in their country

I have come from Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish nation for the past 3,000 years and the eternal and undivided capital of the State of Israel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday at the start of his historic speech before the U.N. General Assembly.

 

“Today, when my life’s path has led me to become a warrior and military leader in all the wars, I extend my hand to our Palestinian neighbors in a call for reconciliation and compromise, so we may end the bloody conflict and, together, get on the path that leads to peace between our nations.

 

“I consider this to be my main mission in the coming years,” he said.

 

Sharon said, “Israel is dear to me; it is dear to us, the Jews, most of all. Conceding any part of our forefather’s land is heart-wrenching, as difficult as the parting of the Red Sea. Every piece of land, every mountain and valley, every river and stone is full of Jewish history.”

 

“The continuity of the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel has never been disrupted,” he said.

 

“The Land of Israel is the open bible - the Jewish nation’s identity and right. I say these words to you because they are the essence of my Jewish consciousness regarding Israel’s undeniable right to the Land of Israel. But I am also saying this to stress the amount of pain I feel deep in my heart when I realize we must make concessions for the establishment of peace with our Palestinian neighbors.

 

“The fact that the Jewish nation has a right to the Land of Israel does not mean that we are ignoring the Palestinians’ rights. They will always be our neighbors. We respect them and we have no desire to rule over them. They too are entitled to liberty and sovereign national existence in their country.”

 

'This fence saves lives'

 

The prime minister also addressed the Hurricane Katrina disaster, saying, “I wish to extend Israel’s sincere condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones.” 

 


Sharon delivers U.N. speech (Photo: Avi Ochayon, GPO)

 

"I support my friend, President (George W.) Bush. The U.S. has stood by Israel during times of trouble, and now Israel is willing to offer any help necessary," he said.

 

Sharon added, “I stand here before you as a Jewish man and a citizen of a free and sovereign Israel. I am the proud representative of an ancient, small nation, but its contribution to human culture, morals, justice and faith is all-embracing."

 

Sharon also addressed the Gaza withdrawal, “This week the last Israeli soldier left Gaza, ending the military rule in the area. Now it is the Palestinians’ turn to prove their desire for peace. The Palestinian leadership’s most important test will be whether it will fulfill its commitment to put an end to terror and its infrastructures, eradicate the anarchic regime of the armed gangs and stop the incitement and the education for hatred toward Israeli and Jews.”

 

“Until they accomplish this, Israel will know how to protect itself from the horrors of terror. This is why we have constructed the security fence and will complete it – just as any country would do to protect itself,” he said.

 

'Happy new year'

 

“Each day the security fence prevents terrorists and murderers from entering Israeli city centers and hurting citizens on their way to work, children on their way to school and families dining together in restaurants. This fence is extremely necessary. This fence saves lives.”

 

“I am one of those who believe we can reach a fair compromise for co-existence and good neighborly relations between Jews and Arabs, but I must make one thing clear: There will be no compromise regarding Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, within defensible borders, in total security devoid of threats and terror.”

 

The prime minister also slammed Iran on its nuclear aspirations, saying, “The attempt by Iran to arm itself with nuclear weapons should cause all those who strive for peace in the Middle East and the rest of the world to lose sleep. The combination of dark fundamentalism and then support of terror organizations creates a harsh threat that all U.N. nations must confront.”

 

The prime minister concluded his speech by saying, “On behalf of the Israeli nation, I wish all the world’s nations a happy new year.”

 

Sharon is expected to continue his round of talks with world leaders. The prime minister has already met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russian President Vladimir Putin and with a number of EU representatives.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.15.05, 21:21
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