[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA

"Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take the steps that it
must in order to ensure quiet. This will not end in a day or a week. We
never promised this; we cannot promise this. But I promise one thing:
Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take strong action that
will - in the end - bring quiet." = in the long run Israel will act.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - 11 May 2008

"In the long run we are all dead."
John Maynard Keynes- A Tract on Monetary Reform, Chapter 3 (1923)]
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PM Olmert: "Either There Will Be Quiet Or The State of Israel Will Take
Strong Action."
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Following are Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's remarks at the start of the
weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 11.5.08:

"We are saddened that, over the weekend, the terrorist organizations
continued their murderous attacks, this time claiming a victim in Kfar Aza,
Jimmy Kedoshim.

Over the weekend, I heard about Jimmy from his friends and acquaintances in
Kfar Aza. His story, like those of the other victims of this murderous,
Gaza Strip-based terrorism, is heartbreaking. Let it be clear that he
Government of Israel views Hamas as responsible for all that happens,
vis-à-vis terrorism from the Gaza Strip. We do not check the organizations'
tiny details. The dominant, controlling element in the Gaza Strip is Hamas.
It is responsible and it will have to bear the consequences and full
responsibility for this activity. We do not intend to countenance this; we
have said so time and again. The reality that prevails today must change.
Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take the steps that it
must in order to ensure quiet. This will not end in a day or a week. We
never promised this; we cannot promise this. But I promise one thing:
Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take strong action that
will - in the end - bring quiet.

Regarding events in Lebanon, I do not think that I must go into detail
except that the State of Israel is naturally monitoring events there.

This week, US President George Bush will make his second visit to Israel
within a few months in order to express his participation - and that of the
American people - in our celebrations marking the State of Israel's 60th
Independence Day. Naturally, when the US President visits, we will deal not
only with celebrations but with substantive, strategic issues, vis-à-vis the
future of the State of Israel. These issues will certainly be an
inseparable part of his visit here.

Finally, I note that we recently celebrated the State of Israel's 60th
Independence Day. The celebrations were held in good taste, in an
atmosphere that created a sense of satisfaction and joy among very many
Israelis. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Ruhama
Avraham-Balila, who was responsible for the 60th anniversary events, for the
efficient organization and planning behind the events."