Mr. Speaker, following the tragic death, two days ago, of Yitzhak Rabin, Israel and the whole international community have lost a great statesman.
Yitzhak Rabin was one of the main architects of the peace process in the Middle East. His death must not end the hope for lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
Yitzhak Rabin was like a reflection of his country and of the whole Middle East. Born in a country under foreign control, he fought for national independence before becoming his country's defence chief of staff, and eventually ambassador, prime minister and peacemaker. It is thanks to his dedication to peace if, in recent years, we witnessed a rapprochement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
More than anything else in his distinguished career, Yitzhak Rabin will be remembered as a man of peace who was loved by his people, by neighbouring nations, and by us all.