March 1, 1957 Israel Offers Peace

 

Israel Offers Peace

Mrs. Golda Meir, Foreign Minister of Israel, before the U.N. General Assembly:

“May I now add these few words to the states in the Middle East area, and, more specifically, to the neighbors of Israel:

“We all come from an area which is a very ancient one.  The hills and the valleys of the region have been witnesses to many wars and many conflicts.  But that is not the only thing which characterizes the part of the world from which we come.

“It is also part of the world which is of an ancient culture.  It is that part of the world which has given to humanity three great religions.  It is also that part of the world which has given a code of ethics to all humanity.  In our countries, in the entire region, all our peoples are anxious for and in need of a higher standard of living, of great programs of development and progress.

Can we, from now on – all of us – turn a new leaf, and instead of fighting with each other, can we all, united, fight poverty and disease and illiteracy?  Is it possible for us to put all our efforts and all our energy into one single purpose, the betterment and progress and development of all our lands and all of our peoples?

“I can here pledge the Government and the people of Israel to do their part in this united effort.  There is no limit to what we are prepared to contribute so that all of us, together, can live to see a day of happiness for our peoples and see again from that region a great contribution to peace and happiness to all humanity.”

Source:  73

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