Peres: Ben-Gurion was first to support two-state solution

President addresses top gov't officials assembled at Sde Boker to honor first prime minister on 37th anniversary of his death.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Peres honors Ben-Gurion 311 (photo credit: GPO)
Peres honors Ben-Gurion 311
(photo credit: GPO)
Top government officials gathered in the Negev at the site of Sde Boker on Sunday to remember the country's first prime minister David Ben-Gurion at his former home on the 37th anniversary of his death.
Among those who attended the event were President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin and various MKs and public figures. Peres spoke to the assembled crowd about Ben-Gurion's contributions to the country and the continued relevance of the former prime minister's message today.
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"He was the first to support the solution of two states for two peoples," said Peres. "He did not give up our rights to the Land of Israel. But he believed that our immediate obligation was to save the Israeli people, to save the nation from dependancy on foreigners. Things that are not attainable without giving up parts of the country."
Peres discussed Ben-Gurion's importance in contributing to the success of Israel becoming a viable state.
"He knew that a state is not built from a UN decision. A state is built in bricks and tears."
The president stated that Ben Gurion saw Israel as a shelter for Jews following his visits to the concentration camps after WWII.
"Ben-Gurion believed in his heart that rather than the state absorbing the new immigrants, the new immigrants would build the state."
Peres added that Ben-Gurion's vision was still not fully realized in Israel.
"There is still much work to do until we will know peace and security. Until justice will lead our way socially, and peace will lead our way politically.