Unfortunately, not everything is built to last.

On September 13, 1993, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., then-President Bill Clinton witnessed one of the most historic events of his presidency: the signing of a treaty known as the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements.

The accord — signed by Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and sealed by a handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat — provided for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho, and for the establishment of a Palestinian government to be given authority over much of the West Bank.

Each of the two leaders spoke of peace that day. Rabin, a former army general, told the world:

“We the soldiers who have returned from the battle stained with blood; we who have seen our relatives and friends killed before our eyes; we who have fought against you, the Palestinians; we say to you today in a loud and clear voice: Enough of blood and tears. Enough!”

And Arafat added:

“The battle for peace is the most difficult battle of our lives. It deserves our utmost efforts because the land of peace yearns for a just and comprehensive peace.” [“This Day In History, History.com, September 13, 2025.]

Eloquent, noble words from both sides, intended to put an end to countless years of brutal conflict.

And we know how long that lasted.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/13/25