June  20, 2010 / 8 Tammuz 5770 

President Peres to the Jewish Agency Assembly:

“Delegitimizing Israel means to legitimize, directly or indirectly, terror organizations like Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah.”

“If Gaza would turn to peace, she would have peace, and there would be no need for flotillas.”

President Peres addressed today, June 20th, 2010, the Jewish Agency Assembly in Jerusalem. The President began his speech by emphasizing Israel’s continued and historic commitment to peace: “During the Oslo negotiations, Israel agreed to the two-state solution, a Palestinian state living alongside a Jewish state. We felt then, as we feel today, that for the two of us to live side by side in peace is right and better than living one inside the other in an incurable conflict.”

The President also spoke on the rule of Hamas in Gaza: “We withdrew from Gaza entirely. There is no Israeli left in the Gaza strip. We did not understand then, nor do we understand now, why after evacuating Gaza, its rulers started to fire thousands of missiles against our civilians. For what reason? For what purpose? The question remains unanswered today. Would Gaza agree to peace, to negotiations, to denounce terror, to stop the building of tunnels, to halt the shooting of missiles, to cease the attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers, and to release the abducted Gilad Shalit, there would be no closure or blockade. If Gaza would turn to peace, she would have peace, and there would be no need for flotillas.”

The President also commented on attempts by radical groups to delegitimize Israel: “Delegitimizing Israel means to legitimize, directly or indirectly, lawless terror organizations like Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah, as well as their supporters, including dictatorial regimes that kill their own people with no regard or respect. Our efforts for peace will not and should not diminish. They emanate neither from pressure nor from submission, but rather from ethical convictions and strategic interests.”

Lastly, the President concluded by remarking on the strength and stability of the US-Israel relationship: “I believe President Obama when he says that Israel’s security is America’s top priority. What I am saying is supported by facts, not just by impressions.”

For More Information:
Ayelet Frish – Spokesperson of the President 050-620-5111
Meital Jaslovitz – Assistant to Spokesperson of the President 050-420-5230