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As a citizen of a democratic country, I always believed that when a prime minister was elected in Israel, it is the duty of even those who voted against him to wish for his success. However, rather than being awarded this basic trust, I found myself immediately after my election subject to a wave of investigations, inquiries and examinations.
From almost my first day in the Prime Minister’s Office, I have been forced to repel vicious attacks while being occupied with making decisions on fateful matters related to the security of Israel and its existence; and despite all this, during my tenure, the State of Israel’s condition has steadily improved.
In the field of security, we strengthened the IDF – we continued building our forces and harnessing tremendous resources which were not previously provided. The North is quiet and no longer under immediate threat. Israel’s deterrence capability has increased beyond recognition. We also drew conclusions and corrected shortcomings: the processes of self-examination are essential mechanisms for a healthy society. I am proud of them.
In the socio-economic field – we maintained a stable economy and led it to significant achievements. We increased the struggle against poverty, and the level of involvement in distressed areas, especially the periphery. The number of poor people continues to decrease.
We invested billions of shekels in an attempt to improve the education system.
We achieved a positive record in the number of employees in the economy. Hundreds of thousands have joined the labor force. Unemployment has decreased to 6.1%, as opposed to 10.5% three years ago.
Beyond all these things, I continue to believe with all my heart that achieving peace, stopping terror, strengthening security, and creating different relationships with our neighbors – these are the most essential goals for the future of the State of Israel. The support of the United States, under President George Bush’s leadership, greatly assists us in this regard. We are closer than ever to firm understandings which could serve as a basis for agreements on both tracks of dialogue – the Palestinian and the Syrian. The day the dream of peace is realized, we will all stand astounded: how did we not achieve this sooner? As long as I serve in my position – I will not cease in the attempt to continue bringing the negotiations between ourselves and our neighbors to a successful conclusion in which there is hope.
In my position as Prime Minister, I bear the ultimate responsibility for decisions. There are excellent people in this country. With them, I led far-reaching, bold and complex processes. I never tried to boast of these accomplishments in public and reap the political benefits. Many are hidden from the majority of the public, but they are well known to those who carry out and are partners to these decisions.
That entire time, I was forced to defend myself against unceasing attacks by self-appointed warriors for justice who sought to oust me from my position, when the goal justified all the means.
I am Prime Minister, and naturally I am a natural address for political struggle. However, any intelligent person can understand that things have been forced beyond any rational proportion.
Have I made mistakes during my many years of activity? Of course I have! And I regret and repent them.
However, is the genuine state of things that which is presented to the public? Absolutely not! As Prime Minister, I am deprived of the basic right of being innocent until proven guilty, due to my inability to present my innocence at the height of a forced process during which it is my obligation to remain silent.
I wish to clarify: I am proud to be a citizen in a country in which a prime minister can be investigated just like any other citizen. It is the Police’s duty to investigate. It is the prosecution’s duty to instruct the Police, and I have nothing against them because of this. A prime minister is not above the law- but neither is he, in any case, beneath it.
This is not my own personal problem; this is a challenge to our ability as a country to maintain stability and balance of democratic rule. Not a clerk, nor a junior or senior investigator, nor an important and fair attorney – and the majority of the Police and State Prosecutors are thus – is empowered and authorized to decide if a prime minister can serve or continue in his position. Such decisions are supposed to be made at the end of a responsible, quiet and orderly process – as occurs in every democratic country. Unfortunately, this proper process did not occur here.
It is my duty to soul search for all of us – with responsibility, but also with pain, even if it demands decisions which hold a personal cost. However, perhaps it will serve as a landmark for the future of our democratic life. Perhaps today, with my personal decision, I am opening a window to a more proper reality.
I reiterate what I previously said: I have full and satisfying answers. I will not hold this discussion through the press, nor at press conferences, but rather in a balanced and fair fight, as I have all my life.
Those who preach about it today will one day have to deal with the truth as it will emerge and they will be faced with it, and they well know this.
Now is the moment I must make a decision; I am not doing so out of a feeling that I cannot fulfill my duties. I believe with all my might in my ability to continue fulfilling my mission, as well as my justness and innocence. However, the smear campaign conducted these days, also by decent people genuinely concerned for the country and its image, raises a question I do not want to nor cannot avoid.
What is more important – my personal justice or the good of the public? My personal justice is very important to me. The impingement on my family’s privacy hurts me to no end. However, in the choice between considerations relating to my status and my ability to fight for my legitimacy and between considerations relating to the good of the country – the latter is what is decisive!
Therefore, I decided that I will not run in the Kadima Party primaries. In addition, I have no intention of interfering in the internal elections which will take place, as decided at my initiative, and I will gladly accept the results. My decision was not made out our bitterness or in an atmosphere of preaching. I came here to say some of what was weighing on my heart for many months.
When a new chairperson for the party is elected, I will resign my post as prime minister in order to allow the elected chairperson to assemble another government swiftly and efficiently. I believe that there is a broad public basis for such a government and that it will be established within a short period of time. I will clear my place as is appropriate, in a dignified, fair and responsible manner, as I have acted during my entire tenure, and then I will prove my innocence and clear my name.
We have one wonderful nation unlike any other. I love it with all my heart and might, and I am grateful to you, the citizens of Israel, for the privilege you granted me to work on your behalf.
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