Peace Among the Children of Abraham

I have often witnessed the wonderful discovery that occurs when people suddenly realize that they are the same, that their problems are the same, that their fears are the same, that their hopes are the same, that their aspirations are the same. And so I have tried my best to create a people-to-people relationship. As a result, a lot of Israelis listen when I speak with them or address them. We cannot ignore the human dimension of relations, and we should do whatever we can to encourage contact amongst people because, after all, it is not a question of peace between governments—it's rather a question of peace between peoples. That is the best guarantee of the kind of future we all seek. So that fears are removed, so that mutual confidence is built, so that relations are based on mutual respect—and since there is no alternative except disaster to all of us in this entire region—we must do whatever we can for the cause of peace.

To recognize ourselves -Arabs, Jews, Christians, Muslims, the descendants of the Children of Abraham- that in itself should be our greatest challenge. To come together, to work together, to revive the reality of our common struggle way in the past that helped contribute to the world of today its culture, its civilization, its progress.

Address to Representatives of the German Media
Baden Baden, Germany
April 24, 1998

We belong to the camp of peace. We believe in peace. We believe that our one God wishes us to live in peace and wishes peace upon us, for these are His teachings to all the followers of the three great monotheistic religions, the Children of Abraham.

Let’s not keep silent. Let our voices rise high to speak of our commitment to peace for all times to come, and let us tell those who live in darkness who are the enemies of life, and through faith and religion and the teachings of our one God, this is where we stand. This is our camp. May God bless you with the realization that you must join it and we pray that He will, but otherwise we are not ashamed, nor are we afraid, nor are we anything but determined to fulfill the legacy for which my friend fell, as did my grandfather in this very city when I was with him and but a young boy.

Address at the Funeral of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
Jerusalem
November 6, 1995

The Jordanian-Israeli Peace Treaty marked the end of one period in our history and the dawning of another. It is the first step towards the restoration of harmony in the Holy Land, which God ordained, but which man disrupted.

Address to the Parliamentary Assemby of the Council of Europe
Strasbourg, France
September 25, 1995

The Christian-Islamic tradition of tolerance and coexistence in mutual respect has happily survived in the Middle East, despite the events and attempts that have threatened, even sought, to undermine it. As we consolidate and develop this tradition, we are now striving to revive the equally noble Judeo-Islamic tradition, which also endured for centuries, though it was temporarily overshadowed by the Arab-Israeli conflict. This cultural interchange made great contributions to the progress of mankind in philosophy, literature, science and the arts, and later it played an important role in the flourishing of the European Renaissance.

Address to the Museum of Peace and Tolerance (Simon Wiesenthal Center)
Los Angeles
March 24, 1995

For our part, we shall continue to work for the new dawn when all the Children of Abraham and their descendants are living together in the birthplace of their three great monotheistic religions, a life free from fear, a life free from want—a life in peace.

Address to the Museum of Peace and Tolerance (Simon Wiesenthal Center)
Los Angeles
March 24, 1995

The two Semitic peoples, the Arabs and the Jews, have endured bitter trials and tribulations during the journey of history. Let us resolve to end this suffering forever and to fulfill our responsibilities as leaders of our peoples, and our duty as human beings towards mankind.

I came before you today fully conscious of the need to secure a peace for all the Children of Abraham. Our land is the birthplace of the divine faiths and the cradle of the heavenly messages to all humanity.

Address to the Joint Session of the US Congress
Washington, DC
July 26, 1994

I look forward to a day when the parties to the conflict will till the soil, reap the harvests, plant trees and enjoy the fruits of their labor, in confidence and security. I also look forward to a time when all the Children of Abraham can proceed to their religious sites in the Holy Land in freedom and peace, guided by a spirit of amity, love and faith in one God.

Address to the Fortieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
New York
September 27, 1985

Jordan is the cradle of civilization, where in an area and a world of intolerance, a people, believers in one God, live in peace and total harmony as members of one family. As a Muslim, I know that my faith reveres all monotheistic religions. It completes God’s message to mankind to live together in friendship and dignity, at a time when Islam, Christianity and Judaism, in many parts of the world, present an image which is totally alien to the spirit in which they were meant: the teachings of God in terms of tolerance an mutual respect.

Address to the European Parliament
December 15, 1983