After a tour of several Arab states, President Mubarak turned his attention to the Israeli people themselves, reports Nevine Khalil As Tel Aviv veers towards a more hard-line government now that the Labour Party has withdrawn from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's coalition, the Israeli peace camp is being courted by the Arab world in an attempt to prevent tensions from spinning out of control. Although President Hosni Mubarak has never shied away from addressing the Israeli people -- either during news conferences or via interviews given to the Israeli media -- this week he delivered a long speech directly to the Israeli people, extolling the virtues of peace and the need to thwart the fanatics from destroying any hope of stability. Mubarak spoke from Cairo on Saturday, via a televised broadcast during the commemoration the seventh anniversary of the slaying of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, as part of a ceremony held in Tel Aviv honouring the man who signed interim agreements with the Palestinians, concluded a peace agreement with the Jordanians, made progress in talks with the Syrians and laid the groundwork for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Singing Rabin's praise as a "a brave warrior, great leader and a rare type of statesman", Mubarak was indirectly contrasting Rabin's mission of peace with the hostile policies of Sharon, whose visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque more than two years ago ignited the ongoing Intifada, and continues to drive a peaceful resolution further out of reach. Mubarak said that Rabin "in his wisdom and perceptive vision, realised that power has its limits and should not be used to kill civilians, place them under siege, starve them and destroy their homes and land. He believed that true peace would forever end this deep-rooted, multi-faceted conflict". Mubarak said that Rabin believed that "peace was the correct way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and build a new Middle East, which is more safe and stable. He believed in exerting all effort and energy in this direction until he paid his life as a price to achieve this noble cause." Cairo "strongly condemns" Sharon's "antagonistic policies", continued Mubarak, "which offend the pride of others and violate their humanity, instilling in them despair and hatred instead of optimism and confidence". Egypt, he continued, condemns both the bombings which target innocent Israelis as well as the military attacks and oppression imposed on the Palestinians, "because these actions prevent the creation of the right atmosphere conducive to peace." Hence, he called on Rabin's "followers and friends" not to let Rabin's principles and peaceful vision die. "Your gathering today sends out a strong message to the world that Rabin's death does not mean the death of peace," said Mubarak in the address, which was also broadcast several times on Egyptian television. "We are working hard to eliminate the sense of fear which is overshadowing life here, but we need the help of all of Rabin's friends and peace-lovers in order to end the cycle of violence." Mubarak called on the Israeli peace camp to "step up to its responsibilities, based on Rabin's principles, to bring the peace process back on track and build new bridges of confidence". Mubarak also drew parallels between Rabin and the late President Anwar El-Sadat who was also assassinated for his pioneering steps towards peace with Israel. Mubarak said that "these two great men realised that despite the noble goals of peace, the process would face many difficulties and violent resistance by many forces on both sides. But they were wise enough to realise that speeding the process of a just resolution would spoil the opportunity for these forces to obstruct the process." Mubarak also took the opportunity to reassure the Israeli people that Egypt is "completely committed to peace as a strategic goal, above all other goals". He added that Egypt will continue to work with all peace-loving forces "in order to save the region from the cycle of violence which is escalating in a worrisome way". He expressed confidence that "together we can face the challenges and overcome obstacles if we are all committed to realising the vision which Rabin shared with us, making the Middle East a model of peaceful co- existence and security among peoples, ethnicities and religions." In conclusion, Mubarak saluted "every Israeli who lights up a candle of love and peace for Rabin's soul, for peace for the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and all the people of the region".
