Statement by H.E. Ambassador Gad Yaacobi , Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations

on the SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MEETING TO MARK THE UNITED NATIONS YEAR FOR TOLERANCE

[Agenda Item 112(b)]

50th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
20 November 1995

Mr. President,

The principal commitment of the international community to tolerance was enshrined in the preamble of the United Nations Charter. The Member States committed themselves to "practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors". The founders of this body understood that only through encouraging tolerance among the peoples of the world could the scourge of war be eliminated. Only thus, could the world hope to survive and progress.

Mr. President,

We come from different parts of the world. We differ in color, in culture, in religion. We have different beliefs and opinions, but all of us are human beings.

Judaism places the notion of tolerance and respect for others as one of its highest ideals. Rabbi Akiva, the great Jewish sage, was once approached by a non-Jew who wished to convert to Judaism. "The only thing you must learn," said the wise Rabbi, "do not unto your fellow what is hateful to yourself!".

Judaism has always encouraged discussion and disagreement, but within bounds of tolerance. Indeed, our entire oral law, the Talmud, is based on the discourse between two schools of thought- Beit Hillel and Beit Shamai. The debates between the two schools, no matter how heated, were confined to the realm of discussion. Thus, the murderer of Yitzhak Rabin acted in complete contravention to the morals and principals of Judaism. He removed himself from the entire Jewish people.

Our history is full of tragic examples of mistreatment at the hands of others. We felt the pain of intolerance and we learned its bitter lessons.

Prejudice against Jews reached its climax in the first half of this century. In the 1930s, the Nazis of Germany came to power espousing a racist ideology based on the superiority of one group over another. Jews, along with several other groups, were singled out by the Nazis for annihilation. Between 1939-1945, six million Jews were exterminated by the Nazis for the sole crime of being born Jewish.

The return of the Jewish people to its homeland in Israel was based on the idea of creating a moral and just society where equality and mutual respect would prevail. In its Declaration of Independence, the State of Israel promised to "uphold the full social and political equality of all of its citizens, without distinction of race, creed or sex".

To our detriment, our region has known many years of hatred and war. Israel has fought for many years in order to achieve a lasting and equitable peace with its neighbors based on co- existence and mutual respect.

During the last three years we have witnessed a dramatic change in the prospects for peace in the Middle East. Our goal is to transform the agreements which are being forged on the ground today into real cooperation and neighborly relations tomorrow.

Sadly, the progress achieved between Israel and its neighbors during the last several years has been ignored by some in our region. There are still those who refuse to accept the new reality. There are radicals and extremists on both sides. There are those who place bombs on buses or who attempt through murder and other inhumane actions to stop the due process for peace. These people are out of touch with the new reality. They represent a fanatic approach of hatred and political myopia.

As recent events in the Middle East have proven, it is a slippery slope from angry rhetoric to violent actions. Dehumanizing a nation or a group of people based on their beliefs or world view cannot be reconciled with any definition of tolerance. The world has witnessed these phenomena too many times during the twentieth century. The international community must be aware that violent rhetoric often leads to violent actions. We must accept the responsibility to keep disputes within democratic tolerance.

During this violent century, some of the world's greatest leaders have been brutally taken from us by the enemies of peace and progress. Mahatma Gandhi, Anwar al-Sadat, Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy were all snuffed out by assassins' bullets.

It was mentioned already that two weeks ago, to our great sorrow, this happened in Israel.

The murder of Prime Minister Rabin was an act of fanatics; of fundamentalists; of radicals. The murderer stands outside the scope of Judaism, universal morality and democratic tolerance. He murdered a great statesman; a courageous warrior for peace; a man of great integrity and devotion. Yitzhak Rabin will be missed not only by Israel and the entire Jewish people, but by peoples throughout the Middle East and the whole world. His path for peace and reconciliation will be continued. His vision will be fulfilled.

There is no coming to terms with what has happened. We can only fight against it by educating our children; by raising our voices in protest; by refusing to surrender to hatred and intolerance and by enhancing peace.

The Year of Tolerance has come to an end, but the need for tolerance has not. The international community must remain committed not to the notion of tolerance, but to its attainment on a day-to-day basis.

Thank you, Mr. President.