Honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the twentieth anniversary of his death.

Whereas Yitzhak Rabin was born March 1, 1922, in Jerusalem; Whereas Yitzhak Rabin volunteered for the Palmach, the elite unit of the Haganah (predecessor of the Israeli Defense Forces), and served for 27 years, including during the 1948 War of Independence, the 1956 Suez War, and as Chief of Staff in the June 1967 Six Day War; Whereas in 1975, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed the interim agreement with Egypt (Sinai II) which laid the groundwork for the 1979 Camp David Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt; Whereas Yitzhak Rabin served as Ambassador to the United States from 1968–1973, Minister of Defense from 1984–1990, and Prime Minister from 1974–1977 and from 1992 until his assassination in 1995; Whereas, on September 13, 1993, in Washington, DC, Yitzhak Rabin signed the Declaration of Principles framework agreement between Israel and the Palestinians; Whereas upon the signing of the Declaration of Principles, Yitzhak Rabin said to the Palestinian people: We say to you today in a loud and clear voice: Enough of blood and tears. Enough! We harbor no hatred toward you. We have no desire for revenge. We, like you, are people who want to build a home, plant a tree, love, live side by side with you—in dignity, empathy, as human beings, as free men. Whereas Yitzhak Rabin received the 1994 Nobel Prize for Peace for his vision and bravery as a peacemaker, saying at the time: There is only one radical means of sanctifying human lives. Not armored plating, or tanks, or planes, or concrete fortifications. The one radical solution is peace. Whereas, on October 26, 1994, Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan signed a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan; Whereas, on November 4, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was brutally assassinated after attending a peace rally in Tel Aviv where his last words were: I have always believed that the majority of the people want peace, are prepared to take risks for peace . . . Peace is what the Jewish People aspire to. Whereas Yitzhak Rabin dedicated his life to the cause of peace and security for the state of Israel by defending his nation against all threats, including terrorism and undertaking courageous risks in the pursuit of peace; Whereas in the years following Yitzhak Rabin's assassination, successive United States administrations have sought to help Israel and the Palestinians achieve a negotiated two-state solution that ends their conflict; and Whereas today, more than ever, the leadership of Yitzhak Rabin can be a model for securing peace during a time of conflict: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) honors the historic role of Yitzhak Rabin for his distinguished service to the Israeli people and extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Yitzhak Rabin and the people of Israel on the twentieth anniversary of his death; (2) recognizes and reiterates its continued support for the close ties and special relationship between the United States and Israel; (3) expresses support and admiration for community leaders and government officials who work tirelessly to encourage co-existence and cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinians; (4) condemns any and all acts of terrorism; and (5) expresses its admiration for Yitzhak Rabin’s legacy and reaffirms its commitment to the process of building a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on two states for two peoples, living side-by-side in peace and security.

Summary: Honors the historic role of Yitzhak Rabin for his service to the Israeli people and extends condolences to his family and the people of Israel on the twentieth anniversary of his death. Supports the close ties and special relationship between the United States and Israel. Supports community leaders and government officials who work to encourage Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and cooperation. Condemns all acts of terrorism. Reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to building a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on two states for two peoples.