the defense minister itzhak rabin tried to punch or wrong for impugning his character in a cabinet meeting. banning cabinet meetings when ministers passed notes have the time they contained derogatory jokes about fellow cabinet members. that's the opening paragraph of a cover story in one of our weekly magazines. what do you say to that? >> guest: i think that's been exaggerated. like in every party, like in political life everywhere there are struggles so i think it's been exaggerated. c-span: have you spoken to mr. shamir in six months? >> guest: of course. i'm a member of the government. i speak to mr. shamir white often. i talked to him in the government meetings and i talked to in meetings of the elected ministers. i have talked to him on many of the issues which are important for which can along to the minister that i'm in charge of for any of the things i believe it should be discussed. i believe that altogether it might be different -- differences in views but mostly on the tactics not over strategy. c-span: are you friends? >> guest: no, we are not personal friends but should you

david ben-gurion, golden mayer, menachem begin, itzhak rabin, the list goes on. and you, mr.dent, you all from anthing in common outside observer's perspective. despite your political differences, it was that you knew in your bones what one israeli prime minister told me over 35 years ago. on thewas opining difficulty israel faced around -- surrounded by hostile neighbors at the time. he looked at me and said, senator, do not worry. we jews have a secret weapon in our struggle in the region. we have nowhere else to go. realization, it seems to yours what energized entire generation of leadership. i believe that is one of the reasons why sharon and so many others fought so hard their whole lives. prime minister sharon was not only loved by the jewish people, , but henly loved them loved the land of israel. of it, but theea actual land itself. born on a farm about to be buried on a farm or ranch. i remember one of the meetings i had with him, it was a somewhat heated -- it was somewhat heated and he had his maps. he spread them out in his office again and i somewhat irreverentl