PM Netanyahu Meets Wounded Soldiers and Civilians at Barzilai Medical Center
and with Local and Regional Council Heads, and Speaks with Japanese PM
Shinzo Abe and the EU's Catherine Ashton
(Communicated by the GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 22 July 2014), at
Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, visited soldiers and civilians who have
been wounded in Operation Protective Edge and told them, "All of Israel
embraces you and wishes you a quick recovery. You were wounded on the most
important mission of all – defending our home."

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with dozens of ambassadors who were touring the
hospital and told them, "I expect not only your support but your moral stand
against a terrorist organization that is attacking us. Any democracy would
do what Israel is doing in order to defend itself."

Earlier, at Ashkelon City Hall, Prime Minster Netanyahu met with dozens of
local and regional council heads and told them, "You are all leaders at the
front. You are doing exceptional work. This is a very important part of the
campaign. I would like to express my support for you and all Israelis."

Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni said at the start of the meeting, "I would
like to say on behalf of all of us that our national resilience is
tremendous. As a leader, you have gone step-by-step, sagaciously. The people
of Israel have the right leader at the right time."

Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe and European Union High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and told them that the
international community must act to demilitarize Gaza.