Ladies and Gentlemen,

Israel’s Presidents and Prime Ministers who we commemorate today at this special ceremony (on which the Government decided) - all, without exception, fall under the category of individuals who are gradually disappearing from our landscape and from this country.  They were a part of a generation which fought for, established, and shaped the State of Israel.  All the Presidents and Prime Ministers who are no longer with us were a part of that group, of that wonderful and special generation.  Most of them were born and raised in very distant places and immigrated to Israel, with the dream of the State of Israel, an independent Jewish State, as the driving force of their lives.  They were among those who fought in the underground organizations, in the IDF, for the establishment of the State of Israel, for its independence, and for shaping the first chapters of its existence and its building.

We see their activities and struggles – which were even then far from over – from the distance of time.  If there is one more thing which distinguishes all these individuals is the fact that they all – at a decisive point in their lives – reached a position which placed them at the juncture of a major decision-making in their lives – positions which put them at critical junctures of decision-making which shaped the existence of the State. Not one of them dreamt of, or planned careers – in the sense that characterizes public figures today.

The driving force was different.  The circumstances were different.  The historic junctures which generated those circumstances which placed them at those positions for which we commemorate them today, were unique in the history of our people.  That is what set them apart – they were not career people according to present definitions.  However, they were all entirely devoted to the establishment of the State, to its defense, and to shaping its character as a Jewish and democratic State.

There is one more thing which characterized many of these leaders, especially Yitzhak Rabin – in whose name we are awarding a prize this year – and that is the ability at some critical or unusual point in time, to make a decisive change which instantly transforms the course of their lives.

The political reality in general, and particularly that of Israel – our national, political, military and social reality, is so complicated and complex, extraordinary and winding.
From observing – not from personal experience – what I have come to learn is that the greatest temptation is to continue in some routine and minimize that uncertainty which could shake you and the country for which you are responsible.  This temptation is tremendous because of the complexity of the reality and due to the many question marks it presents to those who have to take fateful decisions at any given moment and in any leadership position.

The ultimate test is to think from the depths of your being, and perhaps also from the depths of your people’s history.  This ability – to make a decision in one instant which is different and sometimes in complete contradiction to everything you thought was right, anything you fought for many years, anything you believed to be right – and to be able to cope with the consequences of that decision – not only to your country – as is your duty – but to your own life.

Yitzhak Rabin was such a leader.  Yitzhak Rabin was such a Prime Minister.  The milestones in Rabin’s life were unique.  Much has been said and written about it – the topic of today’s award-winning papers, as well as other works.  His family background, his youth experiences, his volunteering in the Palmach, his military leadership, the highest peak of which was the liberation of Jerusalem – all of these were on the natural and right course, in which Yitzhak Rabin demonstrated all those qualities which prepared him for that decisive moment in which he found the inner strength to do everything he had not prepared for.  But, he understood this when he decided to sign that agreement which was controversial then and remains controversial today.  At that given moment, when he shouldered all of the responsibility, he found the power to carry through the Oslo Agreements which earned him the Nobel Prize and which led to that fearful moment when the assassin's shots rang out.

Yitzhak Rabin had the magnitude, inner force, faith and courage to tell himself, at that moment when he remained alone with himself and his conscience, that it should be thus, even if until that moment he did not believe that this would be the direction and that this would be the path.  Dispute, discord, interpretations, and post-mortum are always important, but this force, model and courage are a legacy which will never be forgotten.

May he rest in peace.