Political Quotes

“I watched with utter revulsion and horror the news accounts of the terrorist attack in Netanya, Israel. The casualties now stand at 19 dead and more than 60 injured, all apparently at the hands of the radical Islamic Jihad organization. Once again, Israelis are reminded of the human costs of pursuing peace with the Palestinians. Once again, the Islamic radicals have demonstrated their capacity to seize the initiative with their craven acts of terror. Once again, Israel is forced to seal off the territories and reexamine its willingness to participate in the Palestinian experiment with self-rule. And once again, in a perverse twist of logic, the enemies of peace become the beneficiaries of a horrible tragedy. The Israeli Government, to its enormous credit, has concluded that it will not allow the terrorists to dictate Israel's decision to implement its peace agreement with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Rabin has, in my opinion, made the right and courageous decision to stand by his pledge. What concerns me most, Mr. President, and what I wish to highlight today, is the price to be paid for that decision. All of us who follow events in Israel know that Prime Minister Rabin has a limited mandate to reach peace with the Palestinians and Israel's other neighbors. With each act of terror, with each addition to the list of casualties, the Prime Minister's political standing, and his ability to take risks for peace, are eroded.”