Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s Speech at the Official Memorial Ceremony for Past Presidents and Prime Ministers
20.03.07

Today, the first day of the month of Nisan, the “New Year of Kings” according to tradition, we extol the memory and activities of the State of Israel’s presidents and prime ministers who passed away: of Chaim Weizman, the most prominent and important Zionist leader during the decisive period between the two World Wars, who was elected president of the temporary State Council, and later the first President of Israel; of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, a member of the “Bar-Giora” group and president of the National Committee, researcher of the tribes of Israel, who was the second President; of the third president, Zalman Shazar, the author and intellectual; of Chaim Herzog – fighter, diplomat and military historian – who served as the sixth president; and of Ezer Weizman, who was one of the founders of the Air Force and who shaped its spirit, who filled an important role in achieving peace with Egypt and who was elected Israel’s seventh president.

During this official memorial service, we will remember past prime ministers: David Ben-Gurion, the architect of the Revival of Israel, the first of the State’s leaders; Moshe Sharett, who nurtured and developed Israel’s foreign relations; Levi Eshkol, man of agriculture, settlement and of the economy, who 40 years ago stood at the head of the national unity government during the campaign in which the IDF attained its glorious victory during the Six Day War; Golda Meir, the forceful leader who led the country with an iron first during the War of Attrition and during the hellish test of the Yom Kippur War; Menachem Begin, the outstanding parliamentarian who, after many long years in the opposition, was elected Prime Minister and was privileged enough to initiate and sign the historic peace accord with Egypt, and to whom we can also attribute the neighborhood rehabilitation project and the removal of the nuclear threat from Iraq; and Yitzhak Rabin, the Chief of General Staff during the Six Day War, who during his tenure as ambassador to Washington strengthened the alliance of strategic relations with America, and who, as Prime Minister during the 1970’s, achieved the temporary agreement with Jordan, Egypt and Syria, and later conducted the difficult and obstacle-laden political process with the Kingdom of Jordan.  We will remember and never forget that the murderous hand of a Jewish villain ended his life, to our misfortune and shame.

Madam Acting President,

Every year, this official ceremony is dedicated to one president and one prime minister, and this year we remember the sixth president, Chaim Herzog and the first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

Chaim Herzog arrived at the Presidents’ Residence with a long and impressive history of personal accomplishments and loyal service, as one who contributed immensely to the people and the country.  As a law student in England, Chaim Herzog joined the British Army at the outbreak of World War II, and served as an intelligence officer in the framework of the Allied Forces which defeated Nazi Germany and liberated Western Europe.  Upon his return to Israel after the war, he served in the Hagana and later helped establish the Intelligence Corps in the IDF.  He eventually served as head of the intelligence division in the General Staff.  During the tense days leading up to the Six Day War, 40 years ago, Chaim Herzog was called upon to broadcast commentary on “Kol Israel” radio, then practically the only station, which helped reduce the public’s anxiety about a comprehensive Arab attack and of an aerial “blitz” against Israel’s cities.  It is impossible to forget what Herzog said during the five days leading up to the outbreak of battle, something which is strongly etched into public consciousness:

“…From knowing the facts, without a hint of boastfulness, if I were faced with the choice between sitting in an Egyptian plane charged with bombing Tel Aviv and sitting at home in Tel Aviv, for purely selfish reasons, I would prefer, for the sake of my health, to sit in Tel Aviv…”

 It was one of Chaim Herzog’s finest hours.  It was one of Israel’s finest hours.  At one time, we knew how to conduct ourselves with composure, restraint and reserve.  Not with overexcitement and shouting, but with responsibility and seriousness – these were characteristics of Chaim Herzog and of Israeli society in those days.  Another of his finest hours was the opportunity he had years later, when he served as ambassador to the UN and bravely defended the justness of Zionism and the State of Israel in the face of a hostile majority which passed the appalling resolution equating Zionism with racism.  As his father, the Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel, Yitzhak Herzog of blessed memory, did with the White Paper of 1939, so did Chaim Herzog: he ripped to shreds the draft of the resolution, in an unforgettable image, in front of the entire world.

As President of Israel, Chaim Herzog was an outstanding official representative.  He contributed greatly to the honor of the country and to the institution of president, and strived for national unity, strengthened democracy and the rule of law, and acted to bridge parties, sectors and faiths within Israeli society and between Israel and the Diaspora.

David Ben-Gurion was one of the greats in Jewish history, and one of the greatest leaders in the world during the 20th century.  The hand of providence brought this man of vision, daring and action to the defining crossroad of the people of Israel, between the Holocaust and the Revival.  He lead the campaign to establish the country, formulated the patterns of democratic rule, designed the IDF as a national army, led the young country to victory in the War of Independence, opened the gates to mass immigration, determined the principle doctrine of security and the policy of compensation and decided to send the IDF to war in the Sinai following the aggression and numerous acts of terror, as well as the strengthening and threats of destruction by the enemies of the State of Israel.

David Ben-Gurion made two historic decisions which deviate from any routine context, even with the perspective of tens of years.  One was the decision to hold the ceremony declaring the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 at the Tel Aviv Museum.  The second was to formally declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel during December 1949, following the UN resolution regarding the internationalization of the city.

In each of these cases, Ben-Gurion was alone and isolated, and in both cases he acted out of a profound feeling of obligation to the historic opportunities he foresaw as one-time only.

How brave he was, how firm, how strongly he believed in the eternity of Israel and its destiny, legacy and future – in order to be capable of making these decision and shouldering the terrible burden of the memories, yearnings, prayers, hopes and fears which everyone poured into that one lone moment in which he decided to declare the State of Israel and later to establish Jerusalem as the capital.

We could, of course, praise Ben-Gurion even more and praise his central role in the establishment of the country and in laying its foundations, and he is deserving of such.  However, I admit that in my youth, I was not his greatest admirer, and for a reason.  My late father was a Knesset member of a party which Ben-Gurion “pushed outside the fence” (“No Herut and no Meki”), and this upset me.  There is no doubt that despite his greatness, Ben-Gurion also could be a bitter political rival, vindictive and at times even petty.  However, even his most bitter of rivals and friends could not help but recognize the greatness and power of his personality and leadership.  It seems to me that the appellations attached to David Ben-Gurion by the poet, Natan Alterman, were the most precise:

“…A stiff-necked Jew ---
--- an awesome store of power,
A store of which there is none more powerful in the history of the new nation---
---There is no burden heavier than his burden, but there are no shoulders stronger than his shoulders
To carry the burden of which there is no equal
Of the dark responsibility which is beyond compare.”

No one can know as well as I do today, and as every prime minister in the State of Israel in the past knew, the full significance of the words of the poet, “the dark responsibility which is beyond compare”.

May the memories of the presidents and prime ministers who passed away be forever bound in the life of the people and State of Israel.

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Acting Prime Minister Olmert's Speech at The Main State Ceremony for Deceased Presidents and Prime Ministers of Israel
30.03.06


Ladies and Gentlemen,

Israel’s Presidents and Prime Ministers who we commemorate today at this special ceremony (on which the Government decided) - all, without exception, fall under the category of individuals who are gradually disappearing from our landscape and from this country.  They were a part of a generation which fought for, established, and shaped the State of Israel.  All the Presidents and Prime Ministers who are no longer with us were a part of that group, of that wonderful and special generation.  Most of them were born and raised in very distant places and immigrated to Israel, with the dream of the State of Israel, an independent Jewish State, as the driving force of their lives.  They were among those who fought in the underground organizations, in the IDF, for the establishment of the State of Israel, for its independence, and for shaping the first chapters of its existence and its building.

We see their activities and struggles – which were even then far from over – from the distance of time.  If there is one more thing which distinguishes all these individuals is the fact that they all – at a decisive point in their lives – reached a position which placed them at the juncture of a major decision-making in their lives – positions which put them at critical junctures of decision-making which shaped the existence of the State. Not one of them dreamt of, or planned careers – in the sense that characterizes public figures today.

The driving force was different.  The circumstances were different.  The historic junctures which generated those circumstances which placed them at those positions for which we commemorate them today, were unique in the history of our people.  That is what set them apart – they were not career people according to present definitions.  However, they were all entirely devoted to the establishment of the State, to its defense, and to shaping its character as a Jewish and democratic State.

There is one more thing which characterized many of these leaders, especially Yitzhak Rabin – in whose name we are awarding a prize this year – and that is the ability at some critical or unusual point in time, to make a decisive change which instantly transforms the course of their lives.

The political reality in general, and particularly that of Israel – our national, political, military and social reality, is so complicated and complex, extraordinary and winding.
From observing – not from personal experience – what I have come to learn is that the greatest temptation is to continue in some routine and minimize that uncertainty which could shake you and the country for which you are responsible.  This temptation is tremendous because of the complexity of the reality and due to the many question marks it presents to those who have to take fateful decisions at any given moment and in any leadership position.

The ultimate test is to think from the depths of your being, and perhaps also from the depths of your people’s history.  This ability – to make a decision in one instant which is different and sometimes in complete contradiction to everything you thought was right, anything you fought for many years, anything you believed to be right – and to be able to cope with the consequences of that decision – not only to your country – as is your duty – but to your own life.

Yitzhak Rabin was such a leader.  Yitzhak Rabin was such a Prime Minister.  The milestones in Rabin’s life were unique.  Much has been said and written about it – the topic of today’s award-winning papers, as well as other works.  His family background, his youth experiences, his volunteering in the Palmach, his military leadership, the highest peak of which was the liberation of Jerusalem – all of these were on the natural and right course, in which Yitzhak Rabin demonstrated all those qualities which prepared him for that decisive moment in which he found the inner strength to do everything he had not prepared for.  But, he understood this when he decided to sign that agreement which was controversial then and remains controversial today.  At that given moment, when he shouldered all of the responsibility, he found the power to carry through the Oslo Agreements which earned him the Nobel Prize and which led to that fearful moment when the assassin's shots rang out.

Yitzhak Rabin had the magnitude, inner force, faith and courage to tell himself, at that moment when he remained alone with himself and his conscience, that it should be thus, even if until that moment he did not believe that this would be the direction and that this would be the path.  Dispute, discord, interpretations, and post-mortum are always important, but this force, model and courage are a legacy which will never be forgotten.

May he rest in peace.

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PM Sharon's Speech at The Main State Ceremony for Deceased Presidents and Prime Ministers of Israel
17.04.05

Distinguished Guests,

The annals of the Presidents and Prime Ministers of Israel who passed away are fascinating in their historical complexity.  Their histories are often intertwined, assembling the story of the revival of the people of Israel in their homeland.  Before they had any titles or official positions, these people fought and struggled, confronted and loved, and dedicated their lives to the revival, development and prosperity of Israel.  Their star shone and then faded – as is the way of the world.

Presidents Weitzman, Ben-Zvi, Shazar and Herzog, and Prime Ministers Ben-Gurion, Sharet, Eshkol, Mrs. Meir, Begin and Rabin left behind personal and national legacies, which should be taught and remembered.

The main burden of commemoration is carried by family members and a handful of dedicated people, through associations and commemoration centers which preserve the writings, memory and activities of Presidents and Prime Ministers who are no longer with us, in order for them to be inscribed in the history books of the State of Israel.

I am very concerned that the day will come when the families will no longer be able to shoulder the burden of commemoration.  It is for this reason that I have instructed the Council for the Commemoration of Presidents and Prime Ministers, which works under the jurisdiction of my office, to prepare a working plan to regulate, officially and legally, the commemoration of Presidents and Prime Ministers of Israel.

This year’s award for the commemoration of Prime Ministers of Israel who passed away is dedicated to the 6th Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Menachem Begin, of blessed memory.  I am pleased to grant this award to Prof. Yechiam Weitz, for his book on the Herut Movement, and to Harry Hurwitz, for lifetime achievements. 

Harry Hurwitz accompanied Menachem Begin for many years, and after his passing, established, together with others, the glorious enterprise of the Center for the Commemoration of the Legacy of Menachem Begin, which I had the honor to inaugurate last year.

At this time, when Israeli society faces one of its most difficult tests, Menachem Begin’s decree is worth remembering: “a war between brothers – never!”.

Menachem Begin’s prudent leadership, which saw the whole picture, the good of the nation and the future of the nation and its residents, prevented a civil war at the dawn of our independence. 
Years later, these moving words were written by Begin in this regard:

“Sometimes the choice is between tears or blood.
Sometimes, as the rebellion against our oppressor taught us, it is necessary for blood to prevail over tears;
Sometimes, as Altalena taught us, it is necessary for tears to prevail over blood”.

I hope that these words will guide us all in the coming weeks and months.

Today, a week after the first of Nissan, the Rosh Hashanah for the Kings, we cherish and remember those who carried the scepter of sovereignty and led the people of Israel in modern times.
On behalf of the Government, I reiterate our commitment to commemorate Presidents and Prime Ministers who passed away, and pledge to assist those who are charged with this task.

May the State of Israel remember – and cherish. 

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