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Friday, July 18, 2014 |
PM Netanyahu's remarks at the special Cabinet meeting |
"Naturally, there are considerations and facts that I cannot reveal to the = public; these are complicated considerations that include, at the same time= many fronts and arenas in Israel and around the world." PM Netanyahu's remarks at the special Cabinet meeting possibilities, and with the understanding that without action, the price = that we would pay would be much greater. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Friday, 18 July 2014), made the = following remarks at the start of the special Cabinet meeting: "This is the tenth day that Israel's cities have been under terrorist = attack. The IDF is operating against Hamas and the other terrorist = organizations in the Gaza Strip from the sea and air, and now on land as = well. Last night, our forces commenced a ground operation in order to strik= at the terrorist tunnels that run from the Gaza Strip into Israeli = territory. I remind you that it was through such a tunnel that Hamas = terrorists infiltrated into our territory yesterday morning in order to = perpetrate a large scale attack against Israel's citizens. The IDF = successfully thwarted this terrorist act. Because it is not possible to deal with the tunnels only from the air, our = soldiers are now doing so on the ground. Even here there is no guarantee of = 100% success, but we are doing our utmost in order to achieve the maximum. = To our sorrow, a soldier has already fallen and =96 on behalf of all the = ministers =96 I send condolences to his family. I am certain that I speak o= behalf of all Israelis. My instructions, and those of the Defense Minister, to the IDF, with the = approval of the Security Cabinet, are to be ready for the possibility of a = significant expansion of the ground operation, and the Chief-of-Staff and = the IDF have prepared accordingly. Last night's operation came after Israel = agreed to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal and to the UN initiative for a = humanitarian truce. In both cases, Hamas continued firing. We chose to = commence this operation after we had exhausted the other possibilities, and = with the understanding that without action, the price that we would pay = would be much greater. Even before we embarked on Operation Protective Edge, I spoke with major = world leaders. I explained to them the impossible situation the State of = Israel was facing and our need to defend our people. Since then, through = constant, methodical diplomatic and media activity, we have been creating = the international space =96 which is not self-evident =96 so that we can ta= systematic and strong action against this murderous terrorist organization = and its terrorist partners. Naturally, there are considerations and facts = that I cannot reveal to the public; these are complicated considerations = that include, at the same time, many fronts and arenas in Israel and around = the world. However, the supreme consideration that guides us is to restore = the security to Israel's citizens and to restore quiet to the country. The IDF is a moral military without peer; it does not aspire to harm any = innocent person. We are operating only against terrorist targets and we = regret any inadvertent civilian casualties. It is the terrorist = organizations =96 which attack our cities and our civilians and use their = civilians are human shields =96 that bear the responsibility for casualties = among non-combatants. Now I know that in such campaigns, global public opinion always receives a = distorted picture of the campaign. This is unavoidable. But, unlike in the = past, this time there are many in the international community who understan= that it is Hamas =96 and Hamas alone =96 that is responsible for the victim= This is important for the State of Israel. I would like to appeal to you, citizens of Israel. A terrorist war has been = forced upon the state and this time as well, we will meet the challenge. = Your steadfast fortitude gives us the ability and the time to take strong = action against our enemies, and we are all proud of you. And again, I must = ask that you strictly follow the instructions of IDF Home Front Command. I = think that, today, it is hardly necessary to say how important this is, and = I know that you understand this. I have met with the commanders who are leading the IDF operation, uncommonl= brave, determined and motivated commanders, with strong values. I am = impressed by the motivation of our soldiers, both conscripts and reservists= and their desire to take part in the campaign. They understand that their = mission is to defend Israel's citizens. Our fighters all know that they are = fighting for the most just of goals =96 the defense of our shared home. At = this time, we are all united behind the soldiers and commanders of the IDF. = And I know that I speak for all of us as we support them in their mission = and pray for their welfare. ________________________________________ Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on A= Website: www.imra.org.il For free regular subscription: For free daily digest subscription: IMRA is now also on Twitter |
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