28 Jan. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 lives and their children’s lives. That’s what terday he had a birthday, and now, like me, I want to ask you more. You’ve given her he’s 54. Unlike me, he has enough children a great gift. Now help her use it for the pur- to be elected President of the United States. pose it was intended. [Laughter] And he’s had a wonderful family Last Wednesday, when Hillary was sworn and a wonderful life, and I’m delighted that into the Senate, I believe that Chelsea and he’s so active in the Israel Policy Forum. I’d I were the two happiest people on the planet: like to thank Judith Stern Peck for making Chelsea, because she loves her mother and me feel so welcome and for her leadership. she’s proud of her; me, for the same reasons, I thank Lesley Stahl. It’s good to see you, but also because when I met Hillary nearly and thank you for your kind remarks. I thank 30 years ago now—2 more months, 30 years the many Members of Congress who are ago—I thought that she had more capacity here and also the members of my Middle and more heart for public service than any- East peace team. Secretary Albright and body I had ever met. And I worried when Sandy Berger and others have been intro- we started our lives together that somehow duced, but Secretary Dan Glickman is here, I would limit her service. and Kerry Kennedy Cuomo is here, and I Your giving her this chance, in my mind, thank them for being here. has reaffirmed the wisdom she made in mov- I want to thank the New York officials who ing to be with me so long ago and all the are here—Carl McCall, Mark Green, and any many roles she’s played in giving to others others who may be in the crowd—for your and never asking for anything for herself until many kindnesses to me over the last 8 years. she made this race. And I can tell you this, New York has been great to me and Al Gore you will not be disappointed, because I was and even greater to my wife on election day, right about her 30 years ago. so I thank you for that. Thank you. God bless you. We just reenacted her swearing-in at Now, Mr. Vice President, please reenact Madison Square Garden. And I was re- the ceremony. minded of one of the many advantages of living in New York: Jessye Norman sang; NOTE: The President spoke at 4:50 p.m. at Madi- Toni Morrison read; and Billy Joel sang. son Square Garden. In his remarks, he referred Meanwhile, at least at half time, the Giants to soprano Jessye Norman; author Toni Morrison; were ahead. [Laughter] And so I said, I felt musician Billy Joel; and Judith Hope, chair, New sort of like Garrison Keillor did about Lake York State Democratic Party; Garrison Keillor, Wobegon. I was glad to be in New York host of ‘‘Prairie Home Companion’’; and Senator where all the writers, artists, and sports teams Schumer’s wife, Iris Weinshall. The transcript re- leased by the Office of the Press Secretary also were above average—[laughter]—and all the included the remarks of Senator Hillary Clinton votes were always counted. [Laughter] and Vice President Al Gore. Let me also say a word of warm welcome and profound respect to the Speaker of the Knesset, Speaker Burg, for his wonderful and Remarks at an Israel Policy Forum kind comments to me, and to Cabinet Sec- Dinner in New York City retary Herzog, for his message from the Gov- January 7, 2001 ernment of Israel. I want to say a little more about that in a moment. Thank you very much. Thank you. I want I want to congratulate Dwayne Andreas, to thank all of you for making me feel so my good friend—I wish he were here to- welcome tonight and also for making Hillary night—and thank him for his many and Chelsea feel welcome. I thank Michael kindnesses to me. Congratulations, Louis Sonnenfeldt, who, like me, is going out after Perlmutter; Susan Stern, who has been such 8 years—[laughter]—and will doubtless find a great friend to Hillary, and you gave a good some other useful activity. But he has done talk tonight. I think you’ve got a real future a superb job, and I’m very grateful to him. in this business. And your mother sat by me, I thank my friend Jack Bendheim for his and she gave you a good grade, too. [Laugh- many kindnesses to me and to Hillary. Yes- ter] Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 / Jan. 7 29

And Alan Solomont, who has done as He knew nine things could go wrong and much for me as, I suppose, any American, only one thing could go right. But he prom- and he and Susan and their children have ised himself that he would have to try. And been great friends, and I thank you for what as long as he knew Israel in the end could you’ve done, sir. I thank all of you. defend itself and maintain its security, he I’d also like to say how much I appreciated would keep taking risks. And that’s what he’s and was moved by the words of Prime Min- done, down to these days. There may be ister Barak. He was dealt the hard hand by those who disagree with him, but he has history. And he came to office with absolute demonstrated as much bravery in the office conviction that in the end, Israel could not of Prime Minister as he ever did on the field be secure unless a just and lasting peace of battle, and no one should ever question could be reached with its neighbors, begin- that. ning with the Palestinians; that if that turned Now, I imagine this has been a tough time out not to be possible, then the next best for those of you who have been supporting thing was to be as strong as possible and as the IPF out of conviction for a long time. effective in the use of that strength. But his All the dreams we had in ’93 that were re- knowledge of war has fed a passion for peace. vived when we had the peace with Jordan, And his understanding of the changing tech- revived again when we had the Wye River nology of war has made him more passionate, accords—that was, I think, the most inter- not because he thinks the existence of Israel esting peace talk I was ever involved in. My is less secure—if anything, it’s more secure— strategy was the same used to break prisoners but because the sophisticated weapons avail- of war: I just didn’t let anybody sleep for 9 able to terrorists today mean even though days, and finally, out of exhaustion, we made they still lose, they can exact a higher price a deal—just so people could go home and along the way. go to bed. [Laughter] I’ve been looking for I’ve been in enough political fights in my an opportunity to employ it again, ever since. life to know that sometimes you just have There have been a lot of positive things, to do the right thing, and it may work out, and I think it’s worth remembering that there and it may not. Most people thought I had have been positive developments along the lost my mind when we passed the economic way. But this is heartbreaking, what we’ve plan to get rid of the deficit in 1993. And been through these last few months, for all no one in the other party voted for it, and of you who have believed for 8 years in the they just talked about how it would bring the Oslo process, all of you whose hearts soared world to an end and America’s economy on September 13, 1993,* when Yasser Arafat would be a disaster. I think the only Repub- and Yitzhak Rabin signed that agreement. lican who thought it would work was Alan For over 3 months, we have lived through Greenspan. [Laughter] He was relieved of a tragic cycle of violence that has cost hun- the burden of having to say anything about dreds of lives. It has shattered the confidence it. in the peace process. It has raised questions But no dilemma I have ever faced approxi- in some people’s minds about whether Pal- mates in difficulty or comes close to the estinians and Israelis could ever really live choice that Prime Minister Barak had to and work together, support each other’s make when he took office. He realized that peace and prosperity and security. It’s been he couldn’t know for sure what the final in- a heartbreaking time for me, too. But we tentions of the Palestinian leadership were have done our best to work with the parties without testing them. He further realized to restore calm, to end the bloodshed, and that even if the intentions were there, there to get back to working on an agreement to was a lot of competition among the Palestin- address the underlying causes that continu- ians and from outside forces, from people ously erupt in conflicts. who are enemies of peace because they don’t Whatever happens in the next 2 weeks I’ve give a rip how the ordinary Palestinians have got to serve, I think it’s appropriate for me to live and they’re pursuing a whole different agenda. * White House correction. 30 Jan. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 tonight, before a group of Americans and Fourth, talks must be accompanied by friends from the Middle East who believe acts—acts which show trust and partnership. profoundly in the peace process and have put For good will at the negotiating table cannot their time and heart and money where their survive forever ill intent on the ground. And words are, to reflect on the lessons I believe it is important that each side understands we’ve all learned over the last 8 years and how the other reads actions. For example, how we can achieve the long sought peace. on the one hand, the tolerance of violence From my first day as President, we have and incitement of hatred in classrooms and worked to advance interests in the Middle the media in the Palestinian communities, or East that are long standing and historically on the other hand, humiliating treatment on bipartisan. I was glad to hear of Senator the streets or at checkpoints by Israelis, are Hagel’s recitation of President-elect Bush’s real obstacles to even getting people to talk commitment to peace in the Middle East. about building a genuine peace. Those historic commitments include an iron- Fifth, in the resolution of remaining dif- clad commitment to Israel’s security and a ferences, whether they come today or after just, comprehensive, and lasting agreement several years of heartbreak and bloodshed, between the Palestinians and the Israelis. the fundamental, painful, but necessary Along the way, since ’93, through the posi- choices will almost certainly remain the same tive agreements that have been reached be- whenever the decision is made. The parties tween those two sides, through the peace be- will face the same history, the same geog- tween Israel and Jordan, through last sum- raphy, the same neighbors, the same pas- mer’s withdrawal from Lebanon in which sions, the same hatreds. This is not a problem Israel fulfilled its part of implementing U.N. time will take care of. Security Counsel Resolution 425—along this And I would just like to go off the script way we have learned some important lessons, here, because a lot of you have more personal not only because of the benchmarks of progress, because of the occasional eruption contacts than I do with people that will be of terrorism, bombing, death, and then these dealing with this for a long time to come, months of conflict. whatever happens in the next 2 weeks. I think these lessons have to guide any ef- Among the really profound and difficult fort, now or in the future, to reach a com- problems of the world that I have dealt with, prehensive peace. Here’s what I think they I find that they tend to fall into two cat- are. Most of you probably believed in them, egories. And if I could use sort of a medical up to the last 3 months. I still do. analogy, some are like old wounds with scabs First, the Arab-Israeli conflict is not just on them, and some are like abscessed teeth. a morality play between good and evil; it is What do I mean by that? Old wounds with a conflict with a complex history, whose reso- scabs eventually will heal if you just leave lution requires balancing the needs of both them alone. And if you fool with them too sides, including respect for their national much, you might open the scab and make identities and religious beliefs. them worse. Abscessed teeth, however, will Second, there is no place for violence and only get worse if you leave them alone, and no military solution to this conflict. The only if you wait and wait and wait, they’ll just in- path to a just and durable resolution is fect the whole rest of your mouth. through negotiation. Northern Ireland, I believe, is becoming Third, there will be no lasting peace or more like the scab. There are very difficult regional stability without a strong and secure things. If you followed my trip over there, Israel, secure enough to make peace, strong you know I was trying to help them resolve enough to deter the adversaries which will some of their outstanding problems, and we still be there, even if a peace is made in com- didn’t get it all done. But what I really want- plete good faith. And clearly that is why the ed to do was to remind people of the benefits United States must maintain its commitment of peace and to keep everybody in a good to preserving Israel’s qualitative edge in mili- frame of mind and going on so that all the tary superiority. politicians know that if they really let the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 / Jan. 7 31 wheel run off over there, the people will But I’m telling you, the reason he has con- throw them out on their ears. tinued to push ahead on this is that he has Now, why is that? Because the Irish figured out, this is one of those political prob- Republic is now the fastest growing economy lems that is like the abscessed tooth. The re- in Europe, and Northern Ireland is the fast- alities are not going to change. We can wait est growing economy within the United until all these handsome young people at this Kingdom. So the people are benefiting from table are the same age as the honorees to- peace, and they can live with the fact that night, and me. We can wait until they’ve got they can’t quite figure out what to do about kids their age and we’ve got a whole lot more the police force and the reconciliation of the bodies and a lot more funerals, a lot more various interests and passions of the Protes- crying and a lot more hatred, and I’ll swear tants and Catholics, and the other three or the decisions will still be the same ones that four things, because the underlying reality will have to be made that have to be made has changed their lives. So even though I today. wish I could solve it all, eventually it will heal, That’s the fundamental deal here. And this if it just keeps going in the same direction. is a speech I have given, I might add, to all The Middle East is not like that. Why? my Israeli friends who question what we have Because there are all these independent ac- done, and to the Palestinians, and in pri- tors—that is, independent of the Palestinian vate—God forgive me, my language is some- Authority and not under the direct control times somewhat more graphic than it has of any international legal body—who don’t been tonight. But anybody that ever kneeled want this peace to work. So that even if we at the grave of a person who died in the Mid- can get an agreement and the Palestinian Au- dle East knows that what we’ve been through thority works as hard as they can and the these last 3 months is not what Yitzhak Rabin Israelis work as hard as they can, we’re all died for and not what I went to Gaza 2 years going to have to pitch in, send in an inter- ago to speak to the Palestinian National national force like we did in the Sinai, and Council for either, for that matter. hang tough, because there are enemies of So those are the lessons I think are still peace out there, number one. operative, and I’m a little concerned that we Number two, because the enemies of could draw the wrong lessons from this trag- peace know they can drive the Israelis to ic, still relatively brief, chapter in the history close the borders if they can blow up enough of the Middle East. The violence does not bombs. They do it periodically to make sure demonstrate that the quest for peace has that the Palestinians in the street cannot gone too far or too fast. It demonstrates what enjoy the benefits of peace that have come happens when you’ve got a problem that is to the people in Northern Ireland. So as long profoundly difficult and you never quite get as they can keep the people miserable and to the end, so there is no settlement, no reso- they can keep the fundamental decisions lution, anxiety prevailed, and at least some from being made, they still have a hope, the people never get any concrete benefits out enemies of peace, of derailing the whole of it. thing. That’s why it’s more like an abscessed And I believe that the last few months tooth. demonstrate the futility of force or terrorism The fundamental realities are not going to as an ultimate solution. That’s what I believe. be changed by delays. And that’s why I said I think the last few months show that what I did about Ehud Barak. I know that— unilateralism will exacerbate, not abate, mu- I don’t think it’s appropriate for the United tual hostility. I believe that the violence con- States to deal with anybody else’s politics, but firms the need to do more to prepare both I know why—you can’t expect poll ratings publics for the requirements of peace, not to be very good when the voters in the mo- to condition people for the so-called glory ment wonder if they’re going to get peace of further conflict. or security and think they can no longer have Now, what are we going to do now? The both and may have to choose one. I under- first priority, obviously, has got to be to dras- stand that. tically reduce the current cycle of violence. 32 Jan. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001

But beyond that, on the Palestinian side, leaders felt about each other and the respect there must be an end to the culture of vio- and the confidence they had in each other lence and the culture of incitement that, when they were talking. since Oslo, has not gone unchecked. Young The alternative to getting this peace done children still are being educated to believe is being played out before our very eyes. But in confrontation with Israel, and multiple amidst the agony, I will say again, there are militia-like groups carry and use weapons signs of hope. And let me try to put this into with impunity. Voices of reason in that kind what I think is a realistic context. of environment will be drowned out too often Camp David was a transformative event, by voices of revenge. because the two sides faced the core issue Such conduct is inconsistent with the Pal- of their dispute in a forum that was official estinian leadership’s commitment to Oslo’s for the first time. And they had to debate nonviolent path to peace, and its persistence the tradeoffs required to resolve the issues. sends the wrong message to the Israeli peo- Just as Oslo forced Israelis and Palestinians ple and makes it much more difficult for to come to terms with each other’s existence, them to support their leaders in making the the discussions of the past 6 months have compromises necessary to get a lasting agree- forced them to come to terms with each oth- ment. er’s needs and the contours of a peace that For their part, the Israeli people also must ultimately they will have to reach. understand that they’re creating a few prob- That’s why Prime Minister Barak, I think, lems, too; that the settlement enterprise and has demonstrated real courage and vision in building bypass roads in the heart of what moving toward peace in difficult cir- they already know will one day be part of cumstances while trying to find a way to con- a Palestinian state is inconsistent with the tinue to protect Israel’s security and vital in- Oslo commitment that both sides negotiate terests. So that’s a fancy way of saying, we a compromise. know what we have to do and we’ve got a And restoring confidence requires the Pal- mess on our hands. estinians being able to lead a normal exist- So where do we go from here? Given the ence and not be subject to daily, often impasse and the tragic deterioration on the humiliating reminders that they lack basic ground a couple of weeks ago, both sides freedom and control over their lives. asked me to present my ideas. So I put for- These, too, make it harder for the Palestin- ward parameters that I wanted to be guide ians to believe the commitments made to toward a comprehensive agreement; param- them will be kept. Can two peoples with this eters based on 8 years of listening carefully kind of present trouble and troubling history to both sides and hearing them describe with still conclude a genuine and lasting peace? increasing clarity their respective grievances I mean, if I gave you this as a soap opera, and needs. you would say they’re going to divorce court. Both Prime Minister Barak and Chairman But they can’t, because they share such a Arafat have now accepted these parameters small piece of land with such a profound his- as the basis for further efforts, though both tory of importance to more than a billion have expressed some reservations. At their people around the world. So I believe with request, I am using my remaining time in all my heart not only that they can, but that office to narrow the differences between the they must. parties to the greatest degree possible—[ap- At Camp David I saw Israeli and Pales- plause]—for which I deserve no applause. tinian negotiators who knew how many chil- Believe me, it beats packing up all my old dren each other had, who knew how many books. [Laughter] grandchildren each other had, who knew The parameters I put forward contemplate how they met their spouses, who knew what a settlement in response to each side’s essen- their family tragedies were, who trusted each tial needs, if not to their utmost desires. A other in their word. It was almost shocking settlement based on sovereign homelands, to see what could happen and how people security, peace and dignity for both Israelis still felt on the ground when I saw how their and Palestinians. These parameters don’t Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 / Jan. 7 33 begin to answer every question; they just nar- money necessary to relocate them in the row the questions that have to be answered. most appropriate manner. If the Govern- Here they are. First, I think there can be ment of Israel or a subsequent Government no genuine resolution to the conflict without of Israel ever—will be in charge of their im- a sovereign, viable, Palestinian state that migration policy, just as we and the Cana- accommodates Israeli’s security require- dians and the Europeans and others who ments and the demographic realities. That would offer Palestinians a home would be, suggests Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza, they would be obviously free to do that, and the vast majority of the West Bank, the incor- I think they’ve indicated that they would do poration into Israel of settlement blocks, with that, to some extent. But there cannot be an the goal of maximizing the number of settlers unlimited language in an agreement that in Israel while minimizing the land annex for would undermine the very foundations of the Palestine to be viable must be a geographi- Israeli state or the whole reason for creating cally contiguous state. the Palestinian state. So that’s what we’re Now, the land annexed into Israel into set- working on. tlement blocks should include as few Pal- Third, there will be no peace and no peace estinians as possible, consistent with the logic agreement unless the Israeli people have of two separate homelands. And to make the lasting security guarantees. These need not agreement durable, I think there will have and should not come at the expense of Pales- to be some territorial swaps and other ar- tinian sovereignty, or interfere with Pales- rangements. tinian territorial integrity. So my parameters Second, a solution will have to be found rely on an international presence in Palestine for the Palestinian refugees who have suf- to provide border security along the Jordan fered a great deal—particularly some of Valley and to monitor implementation of the them— a solution that allows them to return final agreement. They rely on a non-milita- to a Palestinian state that will provide all Pal- rized Palestine, a phased Israeli withdrawal estinians with a place they can safely and to address Israeli security needs in the Jordan proudly call home. All Palestinian refugees Valley, and other essential arrangements to who wish to live in this homeland should have the right to do so. All others who want ensure Israel’s ability to defend itself. to find new homes, whether in their current Fourth, I come to the issue of Jerusalem, locations or in third countries, should be able perhaps the most emotional and sensitive of to do so, consistent with those countries’ sov- all. It is a historic, cultural, and political cen- ereign decisions, and that includes Israel. ter for both Israelis and Palestinians, a All refugees should receive compensation unique city sacred to all three monotheistic from the international community for their religions. And I believe the parameters I losses and assistance in building new lives. have established flow from four fair and log- Now, you all know what the rub is. That ical propositions. was a lot of artful language for saying that First, Jerusalem should be an open and you cannot expect Israel to acknowledge an undivided city with assured freedom of ac- unlimited right of return to present day Israel cess and worship for all. It should encompass and, at the same time, to give up Gaza and the internationally recognized capitals of two the West Bank and have the settlement states, Israel and Palestine. Second, what is blocks as compact as possible, because of Arab should be Palestinian, for why would where a lot of these refugees came from. We Israel want to govern in perpetuity the lives cannot expect Israel to make a decision that of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians? would threaten the very foundations of the Third, what is Jewish should be Israeli. That state of Israel and would undermine the would give rise to a Jewish Jerusalem, larger whole logic of peace. And it shouldn’t be and more vibrant than any in history. Fourth, done. what is holy to both requires a special care But I have made it very clear that the refu- to meet the needs of all. I was glad to hear gees will be a high priority, and that the what the Speaker said about that. No peace United States will take a lead in raising the agreement will last if not premised on mutual 34 Jan. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 respect for the religious beliefs and holy For the Palestinian people, it means the shrines of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. freedom to determine their own future on I have offered formulations on the Haram their own land, a new life for the refugees, al-Sharif, and the area holy to the Jewish peo- an independent and sovereign state with Al- ple, an area which for 2,000 years, as I said Quds as its capital, recognized by all. And at Camp David, has been the focus of Jewish for America, it means that we could have new yearning, that I believed fairly addressed the flags flying over new Embassies in both these concerns of both sides. capitals. Fifth and, finally, any agreement will have Now that the sides have accepted the pa- to mark the decision to end the conflict, for rameters with reservations, what’s going to neither side can afford to make these painful happen? Well, each side will try to do a little compromises, only to be subjected to further better than I did. [Laughter] You know, that’s demands. They are both entitled to know that just natural. But a peace viewed as imposed if they take the last drop of blood out of each by one party upon the other, that puts one other’s turnip, that’s it. It really will have to side up and the other down, rather than both be the end of the struggle that has pitted ahead, contains the seeds of its own destruc- Palestinians and Israelis against one another tion. for too long. And the end of the conflict must Let me say those who believe that my ideas manifest itself with concrete acts that dem- can be altered to one party’s exclusive benefit are mistaken. I think to press for more will onstrate a new attitude and a new approach produce less. There can be no peace without by Palestinians and Israelis toward each compromise. Now, I don’t ask Israelis or Pal- other, and by other states in the region to- estinians to agree with everything I said. If ward Israel, and by the entire region toward they can come up with a completely different Palestine, to help it get off to a good start. agreement, it would suit me just fine. But The parties’ experience with interim ac- I doubt it. cords has not always been happy—too many I have said what I have out of a profound deadlines missed, too many commitments lifetime commitment to and love for the state unfulfilled on both sides. So for this to signify of Israel; out of a conviction that the Pales- a real end of the conflict, there must be ef- tinian people have been ignored or used as fective mechanisms to provide guarantees of political footballs by others for long enough, implementation. That’s a lot of stuff, isn’t it? and they ought to have a chance to make It’s what I think is the outline of a fair agree- their own life with dignity; and out of a belief ment. that in the homeland of the world’s three Let me say this. I am well aware that it great religions that believe we are all the will entail real pain and sacrifices for both creatures of one God, we ought to be able sides. I am well aware that I don’t even have to prove that one person’s win is not, by defi- to run for reelection in the United States on nition, another’s loss; that one person’s dig- the basis of these ideas. I have worked for nity is not, by definition, another’s humilia- 8 years without laying such ideas down. I did tion; that one person’s worship of God is not, it only when both sides asked me to and by definition, another’s heresy. when it was obvious that we had come to There has to be a way for us to find a the end of the road, and somebody had to truth we can share. There has to be a way do something to break out of the impasse. for us to reach those young Palestinian kids Now, I still think the benefits of the agree- who, unlike the young people in this audi- ment, based on these parameters, far out- ence, don’t imagine a future in which they weigh the burdens. For the people of Israel, would ever put on clothes like this and sit they are an end to conflict, secure and defen- at a dinner like this. There has to be a way sible borders, the incorporation of most of for us to say to them, struggle and pain and the settlers into Israel, and the Jewish capital destruction and self-destruction are way of Yerushalayim, recognized by all, not just overrated and not the only option. There has the United States, by everybody in the world. to be a way for us to reach those people in It’s a big deal, and it needs to be done. Israel who have paid such a high price and Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 / Jan. 7 35 believe, frankly, that people who embrace of those who continue the violence will be the ideas I just outlined are nuts, because clearer to all than they are today. Israel is a little country and this agreement Today, Israel is closer than ever to ending would make it smaller; to understand that a 100-year-long era of struggle. It could be the world in which we live and the tech- Israel’s finest hour. And I hope and pray that nology of modern weaponry no longer make the people of Israel will not give up the hope defense primarily a matter of geography and of peace. of politics; and the human feeling and the Now, I’ve got 13 days, and I’ll do what interdependence and the cooperation and I can. We’re working with Egypt and the par- the shared values and the shared interests ties to try to end the violence. I’m sending are more important and worth the consid- Dennis Ross to the region this week. I met ered risk, especially if the United States re- with both sides this week. I hope we can real- mains committed to the military capacity of ly do something. And I appreciate, more than the state of Israel. I can say, the kind, personal things that you So I say to the Palestinians: There will al- said about me. ways be those who are sitting outside in the But here’s what I want you to think about. peanut gallery of the Middle East, urging you New York has its own high-tech corridor to hold out for more or to plant one more called Silicon Alley. The number one foreign bomb. But all the people who do that, they’re recipient of venture capital from Silicon Alley not the refugees languishing in those camps; is Israel. Palestinians who have come to the you are. They’re not the ones with children United States, to Chile, to Canada, to Eu- growing up in poverty whose income is lower rope, have done fabulously well in business, in the sciences, in academia. today than it was the day we had the signing If we could ever let a lot of this stuff go on the White House Lawn in 1993; you are. and realize that a lot of—that the enemies All the people that are saying to the Pales- of peace in the Middle East are overlooking tinian people: Stay on the path of no, are not only what the Jewish people have done people that have a vested interest in the fail- beyond Israel but what has happened to the ure of the peace process that has nothing to state of Israel since its birth, and how fabu- do with how those kids in Gaza and the West lously well the people of Palestinian descent Bank are going to grow up and live and raise have done everywhere else in the world ex- their own children. cept in their homeland, where they are in To the citizens of Israel who have returned the grip of forces that have not permitted to an ancient homeland after 2,000 years, them to reconcile with one another and with whose hopes and dreams almost vanished in the people of Israel. Listen, if you guys ever the Holocaust, who have hardly had one day got together, 10 years from now we would of peace and quiet since the state of Israel all wonder what the heck happened for 30 was created, I understand, I believe, some- years before. thing of the disillusionment, the anger, the And the center of energy and creativity frustration that so many feel when, just at and economic power and political influence the moment peace seemed within reach, all in the entire region would be with the Israelis this violence broke out and raised the ques- and the Palestinians because of their gifts. tion of whether it is ever possible. It could happen. But somebody has got to The fact is that the people of Israel take the long leap, and they have to be dreamed of a homeland. The dream came somebodies on both sides. through, but when they came home, the land All I can tell you is, whether you do it now was not all vacant. Your land is also their or whether you do it later, whether I’m the land. It is the homeland of two people. And President or just somebody in the peanut gal- therefore, there is no choice but to create lery, I’ll be there, cheering and praying and two states and make the best of it. working along the way. And I think America If it happens today, it will be better than will be there. I think America will always be if it happens tomorrow, because fewer peo- there for Israel’s security. But Israel’s lasting ple will die. And after it happens, the motives security rests in a just and lasting peace. I 36 Jan. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2001 pray that the day will come sooner, rather all the members of my administration who than later, where all the people of the region support labor. John said there were too many will see that they can share the wisdom of to mention, and he’d get in trouble, but I God in their common humanity and give up want to also say a special thank you to Sec- their conflict. retary Alexis Herman for being labor’s friend Thank you, and God bless you. and partner. Thank you. I think it would be interesting, you know, NOTE: The President spoke at 9:45 p.m. in the maybe it’s just that we don’t have as much Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Michael W. to do at the White House these days— Sonnenfeldt, chair, Jack Bendheim, president, and [laughter]—but we have the largest turnout Susan Stern, vice president, Israel Policy Forum; here of senior members of the administration Judith Stern Peck, former chair, United Jewish for any event outside the White House we Appeal Federation of New York; dinner emcee have ever held. So I would like to ask Mr. Lesley Stahl; Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, wife of Sec- Podesta and Martin Baily and Kathy Shaw, retary of Housing and Urban Development from the CEA, and Bruce Reed and Steve Andrew M. Cuomo; New York State Comptroller Ricchetti and Gene, and Janice Lachance H. Carl McCall; Mark Green, New York City pub- and Aida—everybody here who is part of the lic advocate; musicians Jessye Norman and Billy administration stand up—Karen, stand up. Joel; author Toni Morrison; Garrison Keillor, host of ‘‘Prairie Home Companion’’; Speaker of the Everybody stand up, Chuck. Thank you. Knesset Avraham Burg; Israeli Cabinet Secretary You know, John, Karen Tramontano is Yitzhak Herzog; dinner honorees Dwayne O. going with me, and we’re exploring whether Andreas, chair, Archer Daniels Midland Com- you can unionize a former President’s office. pany, Louis Perlmutter, former chair, Brandeis [Laughter] University, and Alan D. Solomont, chair and AFL–CIO President John J. Sweeney. founder, A.D.S. Group; Mr. Solomont’s wife, Karen will do it. [Laughter] Susan; Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel; The President. We’re ripe for organizing Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Author- here. ity; President-elect George W. Bush; and Ambas- I have so much to thank you for. I thank sador David Ross, Special Middle East Coordi- nator. A portion of these remarks could not be you for the work you did for the Vice Presi- verified because the tape was incomplete. dent, for your pivotal roles in the victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and so many other places—yes, and Florida, and the vic- Remarks at the Rededication tory in Florida, yes. [Laughter] You’re taking of the AFL–CIO Building my good joke away. [Laughter] January 8, 2001 I also want to thank you, those of you from New York, for all you did for Hillary. I am The President. Thank you. What do you very grateful to you for that. When she was think, Mom? She did a good job, didn’t she? sworn in last Wednesday, I can honestly say I thought she was great. [Laughter] When it was one of the happiest days of my life. Susan said they would collectively bargain for I don’t know when I’ve been that happy since ice cream, I thought to myself, it is only in Chelsea was born. And it wouldn’t have hap- large families that even John Sweeney would pened if it hadn’t been for so many of you be against unionizing. [Laughter] No parents who stuck with her and supported her, and can stand against their united children, if I am very, very grateful. there are enough of them. [Laughter] Senator Kennedy, I would like to thank Thank you, Susan. Thank you, John, for you for your friendship and your support. In your friendship, your support, for bringing ways that will probably never be a part of such incredible energy and direction to the the public record, you have been my true labor movement; to all the officers of the friend for a long time, and I thank you. AFL–CIO; and Maureen, thank you for your This is a very emotional moment for me. friendship; Mrs. Kirkland; Monsignor. We’re thinking about the last 8 years; that’s I would like to thank all the members of what you’re thinking about. I’m thinking the labor movement, and I’d like to thank about the last 26 years. In 1974 I ran for