Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s popularity may be waning at home, but he has found at least one vocal supporter in Congress.
In an unusually personal speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) last week praised Rabin’s efforts to move the Middle East peace process along and applauded his steadfastness in fighting for peace under the shadow of terrorism.
“Prime Minister Rabin is working for peace, and I for one applaud him”, Leahy said in his Jan. 26 speech.
The senator touched on last week’s suicide bombing at an Israeli bus station, and said that although Israel and America grieve for the victims of that attack, Rabin’s resignation would be detrimental
“I hope he does not resign. Israel needs him. The Palestinians need him. We Americans need him. We all need leaders who are willing to take risks for peace, wherever they might be in the world”, Leahy said.
Leahy commended Rabin’s composure in dealing with the Palestinians and Syrians in light of terrorist attacks.
“Rabin has gone forward. In order to create a world in which children can grow up without guns all around them, without the prospect of new attacks, he swallows his anger”, the senator said.
Leahy also admonished some Israelis who he said are waging a campaign seeking a congressional ban on stationing U.S. troops to monitor any Israel-Syria peace accord.
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