Tribute to Yitzhak Rabin – SecGen message – Press release

MESSAGE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL TO SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MEETING IN TRIBUTE

TO YITZHAK RABIN, LATE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL

Following is the text of the message from Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to the special commemorative meeting today held in tribute to Yitzhak Rabin, the late Prime Minister of Israel:

There are times that call for greatness: for vision, for courage, for love of humankind. Of all those we call great, the peacemakers are the greatest.

Those who stand firm for peace, must also reach out towards others in peace. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was working for peace on the day that he was killed. He was singing for peace on the night when he was so viciously struck down.

Yitzhak Rabin has ben cruelly taken from the people of Israel, the people of the Middle East, the people everywhere who yearn for peace.

The loss of Yitzhak Rabin conveys the horrifying truth that those who dare to pursue peace walk in the way of terrible danger. And the further they go upon this path, the greater the risk that they run. Thus we gather in this Chamber in awe of the courage of our colleague, our friend, our inspiration, Yitzhak Rabin.

But the cowardly act that took Yitzhak Rabin cannot stop progress towards the goal of peace. All who knew him. All who counted upon his steadfast courage. All who supported the brave endeavour he had embarked upon. All these have vowed never to yield to the forces of hate and perpetual strife.

Yitzhak Rabin in his death still shows us the way. His memory binds the friends of peace together and gives them greater strength than ever. In this spirit we today commemorate Yitzhak Rabin's life. And we are uplifted by his memory to bear the beacon of peace forward, so that tomorrow will bring the better world he so valiantly sought.

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