Yitzhak Rabin Quotes
I don't pretend that I can imagine myself as a Palestinian.
Rabin, Yitzhak. Interview with Charlie Rose. The Charlie Rose Show, PBS, 18 Nov. 1993.
This is an example of a diplomatic leader losing control of herself and addressing a foreign dignitary in most undiplomatic language. The basic accusation was however quite justified. The Palestinians were preoccupied with many symbols of dignity and respect while ignoring economic development, technology, health and standard of living that could have been obtained by a compromise with Israel to create a Palestinian state.
Syria was launching and supoorting Palestenian terror attacks Israel, and then was complaining when Israel retaliated. The American Ambassador, a known pro-Arab, even suggested that the Syrians curtail their support for the terror attacks.
This was an interview with Reuters News Agency in English. Arab leaders often make English Statements to the Western Press which are completely contradictory to what they say to their Arab constituents and followers. In this case he seems to acknowledge that Hamas and he do not deny the right of Israel to exist and accepts that nation per se. Yet at the same time Meshaal has never made this statement in Arabic and has made no gesture to change the Hamas Charter which calls for the destruction and elimination of Israel or to criticize the Hamas other leaders and followers who constantly call for “Death to Israel” and the destruction of the Jewish state. See {585395} for an eloquent statement of the practice of Arab leaders and politicians.
Yitzhak Rabin was an Israeli politician, statesman and general. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Israel, serving two terms in office, 1974–77, and from 1992 until his assassination in 1995.
