We live in a time of confusion – excessive confusion, If you ask me.  The question that is constantly repeated is: “What will happen tomorrow? What will occur? Who will pressure Israel?  Who will enforce a solution on us?  Pessimists cling to every rumor, word or hint.  All is black, all is serious, everyone is against us; perhaps we should stop the Disengagement Plan and wait for the achievement of a better solution through direct negotiations with the Palestinians.  The Left pushes for a greater and faster compromise.  The extreme Right, with a cunning wink, simply seeks to prevent withdrawal from Gaza.

One rumor is followed by another: the Palestinians will relent; the Europeans are getting ready for sanctions; Iran, together with Syria and Hizbullah, will bomb from the north; Hammas will take over Gaza from the south-west; submarines from the west; MRPVs above and tunnels below; Iran is threatening.

Commentators are reporting, specialists are analyzing, giving grades, politicians are immersed in polls, how they look in the picture…

Everything around me bubbles and makes noise.  I want to shout: “Silence!”  Stay calm.  Each and everyone must carry out their duty.  Silence!

We initiated the Disengagement Plan: leaving the Gaza Strip and a part of northern Samaria.  It was a plan which was agreed upon between President Bush and myself and was approved by a vast majority in both Houses of the U.S Congress, in the Government and in the Knesset.

The question we face is: Should we relinquish the achievements of this agreement in exchange for the illusions of the Left and the sophistry of the Right who have joined together to prevent a settlement which is the best possible one for Israel?  That would be a major mistake on Israel’s part.  I do not intend to err here.  It would be irresponsible.

And anyway, what will happen tomorrow? What will be the test of the Palestinian leadership?  I will give you one example:  we must not relinquish the demand for the collection of weapons and dismantling of terror organizations.  But, of course, this is a much more complicated process.

At the same time, there are two demands which are under the direct control of the new leadership and which must be carried out immediately.  The true intentions of the new leadership will be revealed and examined in light of their action or inaction with regard to two primary tasks which can be easily and immediately carried out:
a. Cessation of the virulent propaganda and ongoing incitement in the Palestinian television and media.

b. Change and transformation in the Palestinian education system, cessation of the incitement and demonizing of Israel, Israelis and Jews; replacement of inciting textbooks and a ban of all lessons, plays and children’s summer camps which incite against Israel. 

The venomous propaganda in the Palestinian media and education system is the root and foundation of the expansion of the suicide terrorism phenomenon.

The Palestinian education and propaganda are more dangerous to Israel than Palestinian weapons.

These two important tasks – even prior to the full implementation of the first phase of the Roadmap – will be the test which will show the intentions of the Palestinian leadership.  Is it headed toward a future peace? Or is it headed toward war and terrorism?

I used this example to show that I do not intend to waste time, and it is my intention to explore every avenue – once the new Palestinian leadership is ready to begin contact – to start advancing our relations with the Palestinians.

I hope that the future will lead to calm, security and a political agreement.

Thank you.