PM Olmert: "Lebanon is Responsible and Lebanon Will Bear the
Responsibility."

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office)

Following are Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's remarks at his press conference
today (Wednesday), 12.7.06, with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi:

Prime Minister Olmert: "This morning, actions were carried out against IDF
soldiers in the north. At this time, the security forces are operating in
Lebanese territory. The Cabinet will convene this evening in order to
approve the continuation of the activity. I want to make it clear: This
morning's events were not a terrorist attack but the action of a sovereign
state that attacked Israel for no reason and without provocation. The
Lebanese government, of which Hizbullah is a member, is trying to undermine
regional stability. Lebanon is responsible and Lebanon will bear the
consequences of its actions. The State of Israel and its citizens now stand
in an hour of trial. We have withstood difficult tests in the past, even
more difficult and complex than these. We, the State of Israel, the entire
nation, will know how to now overcome those who are trying to hurt us."

Question: "Is there cause to prepare the nation for war and will you call
for an emergency Government?"

Prime Minister Olmert: One thing must be understood: This was an act of war
without any provocation on the sovereign territory - about which there is no
dispute - of the State of Israel. It is absolutely clear to the
international community that Israel will respond and that it will respond in
an unequivocal fashion that will cause those who started this act of war to
bear a very painful and far-reaching responsibility for their actions.
Moreover, since these events became known to us, except for a meeting with
the Shalit family that was determined in advance, and which was held in my
office this morning, with Aviva and Noam Shalit, and except for the meeting
with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that I decided not to cancel
due to the special circumstances of our relationship and Japan's
international importance and the special importance of Prime Minister
Koizumi, who is a global leader, I have been in contact with Defense
Minister Amir Peretz, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz and other
security officials; I have issued instructions to the security
establishment; I have coordinated with Defense Minister Peretz; naturally, I
have not dealt with political, parliamentary and coalition matters. There
will be a time and place for these but not now."

Question: "Mr. Prime Minister, we are live on IDF Radio. You talk about a
response in Lebanon and blame the Lebanese Government. May we expect to see
here a long-term IDF action on Lebanese soil, and perhaps an IDF presence
for long months on Lebanese soil? Another question if you please; there has
already been a preliminary Syrian response to this incident. A Syrian
official said that today, the Arab nation's lost honor has been restored.
He referred to the sonic boom over Assad's palace and said that this is our
response. A final question, we are already hearing Hizbullah talking about
a prisoner release deal. What can you tell us about this? Will you agree
to some sort of negotiations on such a deal?"

Prime Minister Olmert: "I don't think that there is any reason to enter into
either definitions or promises. The IDF is operating in Lebanon. The
Cabinet will convene this evening in order to approve additional IDF
responses in Lebanon. I am certain that these responses will be felt in the
right places and with the necessary strength following the murderous
provocation that came to the State of Israel from Lebanese territory.
Regarding the Syrian response, throughout the recent period, Syria has
proven that it is a terrorist government. It supports terrorism. It is a
government that backs terrorism. It is a government that encourages the
murderous actions both of terrorists located on its soil and those beyond
it. Of course, there will have to be an appropriate preparation in order to
deal with the conduct of the Syrian government. We have made it clear
throughout that we will not give in to extortion and that we will not
negotiate with terrorists regarding the lives of Israeli soldiers. This was
true yesterday and it is true today as well."