Cards List
FILTERED BY:
Documents and Sources
Leaders and Leadership
How Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin Viewed the 1993 Oslo Accords — A Collection in His Own Words

How Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin Viewed the 1993 Oslo Accords — A Collection in His Own Words

In September 2023, thirty years after the historic signing of the Oslo Accords, there is occasion to review Prime Minister Rabin’s understanding of them. I assembled this collection years ago from Daily Reports- Near East and South Asia, 1993-1995. Two short items about Rabin’s views are also found or linked here. Rabin provided a summary of his views of the Accords in a Knesset speech in October 5, 1995. Some of Rabin’s reasons for signing the Accords are also provided in Yehuda Avner’s The Prime Ministers.

Documents and Sources, Ken's Blog|September 1993-November 1995
Prime Minister Sharon’s Address on Gaza Withdrawal at Herzliya Conference, 2004

Prime Minister Sharon’s Address on Gaza Withdrawal at Herzliya Conference, 2004

Prime Minister Sharon unilaterally withdrew Israeli military and civilian forces from the Gaza Strip in August 2005. Sharon sought to ensure Israel’s Jewish and democratic essence by getting out of the lives of the Palestinians. Instead Hamas used the territory to kill Jews and degrade Israel morally. Two decades later what would Sharon have said about trusting your neighbor unilaterally?

Documents and Sources|December 16, 2004
Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Opening Speech as Prime Minister, 2022

Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Opening Speech as Prime Minister, 2022

Yair Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid party, graciously thanks his predecessor, Naftali Bennett, for his service. As prime minister at least until a month or so after the scheduled November 1 Knesset election, Lapid emphasizes the value of Israel’s inclusive democratic principles. He affirms a commitment to keep Israel a majority-Jewish state and maintain support for a strong economy. While stressing Israel’s security and defense needs, including those from “Gaza to Iran,” he speaks with hope of solidifying Israel’s regional security presence based on the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Documents and Sources|July 2, 2022
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s Speech on Pausing Judicial Overhaul, March 2023

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s Speech on Pausing Judicial Overhaul, March 2023

Citing deep disaffection among elements of Israeli military reserve units, and expressing those concerns to Prime Minister Netanyahu privately, Gallant makes his opinion public, causing Netanyahu to fire him, resulting in hundreds of thousand of Israelis in the streets. Two days after Gallant’s speech, Netanyahu called for a pause in pushing forward the judicial overhaul legislation.

Documents and Sources|March 25, 2023
President Isaac Herzog’s Speech to Congress, 2023

President Isaac Herzog’s Speech to Congress, 2023

In just under an hour, Herzog emphasized the special US-Israeli relationship, citing common values between the two democracies, noting, “when the US is strong, Israel is stronger. And when Israel is strong, the US is more secure.” He cited Israel’s domestic and foreign policy challenges in its 75th year.

Documents and Sources|July 19, 2023|Spanish
Prime Minister Netanyahu Addresses Congress on Hamas War, 2024

Prime Minister Netanyahu Addresses Congress on Hamas War, 2024

In a 52 minute speech, Netanyahu explained Israel’s absolute need for total victory in the Gaza war because Hamas and Iran were both enemies of the United States and Israel. With bi-partisan emphasis, he thanked Presidents Biden and Trump for their unwavering current and past support. Dozens of congressional members did not attend his speech, noting disagreements with the Prime Minister’s policies.

Documents and Sources|July 24, 2024
Page: 2 of 2 1 2