Former American President Bill Clinton lauded Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for carrying out the disengagement, and said it constituted a bold and wise move.
Clinton met with Sharon on Sunday at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem.
| Clinton Speaks |
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| Clinton: Rabin knew he was risking his life / Attila Somfalvi |
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Masses gather in Tel Aviv for emotional memorial ceremony to mark 10 years since assassination of Yitzhak Rabin; former President Clinton receives enthusiastic reception from crowd, says 'not a week goes by' where he doesn't think of Rabin. New Labor party leader Peretz calls for 'moral road map,' end to occupation |
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During the meeting, Clinton strongly condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent statement that Israel "should be wiped off the map," and said that the Iranian president was not elected in order to make such declarations.
I believe he was elected so that he will advance and promote his country's economy, Clinton said.
Clinton arrived in Israel with his wife, Senator Hilary Clinton, and their daughter Chelsea. The three have attended several events in Israel, and participated at Saturday night's Rabin memorial rally to commemorate 10 years since Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's murder.
During the meeting the former president also remarked on the terror attack in Jordan that took place last week, saying that although not all problems can be solved at once, the struggle against terror must continue.
Hilary Clinton is scheduled to meet with the prime minister later and discuss with him diplomatic issues pertaining to Israel-U.S. relations.
Sharon is expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice later Sunday, at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy in the capital. Both Sharon and Rice are expected to speak at the Center's forum.
Clinton, who delivered the keynote speech at the memorial ceremony for Rabin Saturday, arrived at the rally under heavy security and received an enthusiastic reception from the masses gathered at the square.
In his speech, he told Israelis: "Make no mistake about it, he (Rabin) knew he was risking his life... Remember,
if he were here, he would say: Enough of all this missing".
"If you think I made a noble sacrifice, then for goodness sake, take up my work," he said.
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