Israel will not [ultimately - at some time in the future yet to be
announced] capitulate to this terrorism

CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 11.5.08:

1. Defense Minister Ehud Barak and GOC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yedlin
briefed ministers on the situation in Lebanon in light of recent events.
The Defense Minister briefed ministers on recent events in the area adjacent
to the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made the following remarks: " 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. This terrorist organization is both
cynical and cruel: It talks about the need for calm even as it does not
cease its acts of terrorism. It tries to use force in order to cause a
humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and attack the border crossings even
as it cries out. It tries to receive international legitimacy while acting
as the arm of Iran.

Israel will not capitulate to this terrorism. We have no intention of
abandoning long-term security interests for a short-lived and fragile quiet
designed to give the terrorist organizations a respite in which to
reorganize. 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."

2. Prime Minister Olmert said: "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."

3. Transportation and Road Safety Minister Shaul Mofaz and senior Ministry
officials briefed ministers on the state of road safety in the first four
months of 2008. See http://tinyurl.com/5mhrxy for further details.

4. The Cabinet decided to establish a national Fire and Rescue Authority.
See http://tinyurl.com/5mhrxy for further details.

5. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence, and in
order to strengthen ties with Jerusalem, Israel's capital, the Cabinet
decided to hold a rural settlement event in Jerusalem, with the
participation of the various regional councils. This will be the eighth
year in a row that such an event - including a parade, tours and a central
event at Teddy Stadium - will be held. See http://tinyurl.com/5mhrxy for
further details.

6. The Cabinet appointed Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila to formulate - in
cooperation with the Education Ministry and other Government bodies - a
detailed, multi-year plan on fostering young leadership in the State of
Israel, and to submit it for Cabinet approval within 90 days. See
http://tinyurl.com/5mhrxy for further details.

7. Pursuant to Article 21 of the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), and
in accordance with the recommendation of the Civil Service Committee, the
Cabinet decided to exempt from public tender the post of director of the
Bailiff's Office. See http://tinyurl.com/5mhrxy for further details.

8. Pursuant to Article 21 of the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), the
Cabinet decided to exempt from public tender the post of director of the
Minorities Sector Economic Development Authority. See
http://tinyurl.com/5mhrxy for further details.

9. Pursuant to Article 31(A) of Basic Law: The Government, the Cabinet
appointed Minister Gideon Ezra as Tourism Minister, in addition to his
present status as Environmental Protection Minister. Prime Minister Olmert
made it clear that the appointment is temporary and will be valid only until
the appointment of a permanent Tourism Minister.