[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Was COS Gantz making a cynical reference to Oslo?
"Mr. President, you planted the flowers which we enjoy today"]


A situation assessment took place as part of Operation Protective Edge in
Tel Aviv today with President Peres, Defense Minister Yaalon, IDF
Chief-of-Staff Gantz and the members of General Staff

A situation assessment took place today (Tuesday, 22 July 2014), as part of
Operation Protective Edge with President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister
Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and the members of
General Staff. As part of the assessment President Peres was briefed by GOC
Intelligence Maj-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, GOC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Sammy
Turgeman and GOC Operations Maj.-Gen. Yoav Har-Even.

Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gantz said, "This is an operation which proves our
combined work, every person sat around this table is a full partner to this
ongoing battle. We are pained by the losses but have no doubt that we are in
the right direction to achieve the aims set by the political leadership and
we are committed to continuing in our mission to bring quiet and security to
the citizens of Israel. Mr. President, you planted the flowers which we
enjoy today and you worked tirelessly for the people of Israel. On behalf of
the IDF, its officers and soldiers, I salute you."

Defense Minister Ya'alon said, "The soldiers and officers who we are meeting
are professional and committed. Our forces are fighting an enemy which
disappears between civilians. Mr. President, you are completing your term
but I know you will never retire your sense of mission.

Following the briefing President Peres said, "Supporting the bereaved
families at this time gives me strength. We are meeting a young generation,
unfortunately after they fell in battle, and learning how wonderful they
are. I don't remember a period of such solidarity between citizens and
soldiers, between soldiers and parents. This is our victory of humanity. I
am concluding my service but beginning my reserve duty. From my experience I
can say that I don't recall a military command that instilled such faith in
the people. I leave here with great pride. As a citizen of Israel I thank
you from the depths of my heart."

For additional information:

Ayelet Frish – Spokesperson and Media Adviser to the President of Israel,
050-6205111
Yair Zivan – International Media Coordinator, Office of the President of
Israel, 052-3450061