The following are excerpts from messages sent by Israeli leaders to President- elect Bill Clinton and President Bush:
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to Clinton:
“The State of Israel congratulates you on your election as president of the United States of America. We know very well, and are convinced, that the special relations between the American people and the people of Israel, as well as between the administration in Washington and the government in Jerusalem, will be close as always, and will even gain new momentum – for the sake of peace for the free world, under the leadership of your country, and for the peace and security of Israel.
“I send you my warm and hearty greetings.”
Rabin to Bush:
“Our heartfelt thanks to you and the people of your administration for your part in nurturing the good relations between the United States of America and Israel. Thank you also for your personal part throughout the years in support of Israel’s security and for your personal involvement in opening the gates to the free emigration of Jews from Ethiopia and the former Soviet bloc.
“We highly value your contribution and initiative in pursuing peace between Israel and her Arab neighbor.”
“Our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to you.”
President Chaim Herzog to Clinton:
“You have been elected to be not only the president of the greatest nation in the world, but also the leader of the entire free world. We pray for your success in leading the United States, and indeed the world, to stability and prosperity. I trust that, under your leadership, the very special relationship between our two countries will broaden and expand in our common interest, and in furtherance of our advance toward peace in the Middle East.”
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres to Bush:
Peres told Bush his presidency would be remembered for “the historic, dramatic and unprecedented change which transpired in the international community.
“The world became a more civilized and safer place for present and future generations.
“Israel will also remember your unique contribution to the peace process in the Middle East. Your administration provided the historic impetus to launch and promote the first direct negotiations for peace between Israel and all its Arab neighbors. You were also active in many other humanitarian matters of crucial importance to the Jewish people, in particular…Ethiopia and…absorbing Soviet Jewry in Israel.
“We shall always regard you as a profound friend of Israel and the Jewish people.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
