PM Olmert's Remarks From the Start of the Weekly Cabinet Meeting Today
(Sunday), 16.7.06
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Following are Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's remarks from the start of the
weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 16.7.06:
"This is a very difficult morning for all of us. The severe blows on Haifa
follow the murderous attacks on population centers throughout the country.
These attacks are designed to hurt civilians because this is Hizbullah's
criminal war against Israel and its residents. On behalf of the Cabinet and
the people of Israel, I would like to send condolences to the families of
those IDF soldiers and civilians who were killed and best wishes for a full
recovery to those who were wounded, and to embrace the abductees and their
families.

Several days ago, the State of Israel was attacked from the north. This
attack follows the terrorist attack from the Gaza Strip. In both instances,
the attacks began without any reason and they are mostly directed against
innocent Israeli civilians within the sovereign territory of the State of
Israel. In both the north and the south, there is no claim by any regional
or international element whatsoever that Israel is in an area the
sovereignty of which is disputed. The State of Israel cannot countenance
this. We have no interest or desire to hurt the Lebanese or the Palestinian
peoples. We want to live our lives quietly and to be good neighbors.

To my regret, there were those who incorrectly interpreted our aspiration to
live in peace. We have no intention to give in to these threats. We know
that many tests yet await us. Our enemies are trying to disrupt life in
Israel - they will fail. The public is strong and united in this struggle.

In both north and south, the resolve being demonstrated by the public is an
important part of the strength of the State of Israel and we are very proud
of this. We must show patience and forbearance. This struggle is under no
time constraints; this is a daily struggle and we - the Israeli Government
and public - will continue to show equanimity, determination and sagacity as
necessary. Our struggle is both moral and just and no other people in the
free world would act as we have.

The Government is ready to extend immediate assistance to the residents of
the north - in all areas. Government representatives, at all levels, have
been instructed to formulate a socio-economic assistance plan. Throughout
the operation, an interministerial Directors-General committee, chaired by
Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ra'anan Dinur will - in full
coordination with the Finance Ministry - provide assistance as necessary to
the residents.

The decisions that we face are difficult and complex. My Government is
determined to continue doing whatever is necessary in order to achieve our
goals. Nothing will deter us, whatever far-reaching ramifications regarding
our relations on the northern border and in the region there may be.

In conclusion, I would like to tell Defense Minister Amir Peretz, IDF
Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, Israel Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi
and all members of the IDF and the security services: I am proud to live in
a state with such an army and with such security services. Continue the
struggle without hesitation, the entire people of Israel are behind you."