Israel
Cabinet: Bush Visit To Focus On Iran, Gaza, West Bank Terrorism
By
Liora Ghinsberg
Israel News Agency
Jerusalem, Israel ----- January 6, 2008 ....... The following
was communicated by the Israel Government Press Office to the
Israel News Agency.
At
the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Israel today Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert discussed US President George Bushs
visit to Israel: This Wednesday, US President George Bush
will arrive on his first visit as President. This is an important
visit, during which we will have the opportunity to discuss
a series issues regarding the future and security of Israel.
We expect in-depth discussions on - inter alia - the continuation
of the negotiations with the Palestinians. Israel Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni will brief President Bush on the negotiations and
their various stages and Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak
will brief him on the security difficulties that we are encountering
both in the Gaza Strip and in Judea and Samaria. President George
W. Bush will also briefed on the security measures that must
continue in order to assure the security of Israels citizens."
Olmert
added: "The Iran nuclear issue (http://tinyurl.com/2hk4mw)
- including the steps that must continue to be taken in order
to prevent this process - will certainly be on the agenda. US
President Bush holds to a policy, the foundation of which is
a complete obligation to the security of Israel; he declares
this time and again. President Bush is a great friend of Israel
who absolutely understands our security needs and is interested
in leading - in full partnership with us - steps designed to
assure peace and security for Israels citizens. I await
the President George Bush visit to Israel and believe that it
will be successful and fruitful.
Israel
Prime Minister Olmert also said: Last Thursday, Islamic
terror rockets with increased range were fired at the Israel
city of Ashkelon. Luckily, there were no civilian casualties
or damage. Of course, Israel has responded, and will respond,
to this escalation. We do so in a considered and precise manner,
with minimum casualties on our side, and in the most painful
place for the terrorist organizations. After successful strikes
against Islamic Jihad (http://tinyurl.com/2jskff), we will continue
with intensive action in the Gaza Strip in order to achieve
quiet. At the same time, we will continue to invest in the Israel
Negev desert town of Sderot and the communities adjacent to
the Gaza Strip in order to strengthen the residents fortitude.
George
Bush will hear how the Israel children of Sderot
are subject daily to Islamic terrorism from Gaza.
Israel
Defense Minister Barak briefed ministers on current security
issues, including the actions of the Palestinian terrorist organizations
and the responses of the Israel security forces.
Israel
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shalom Simhon briefed
ministers on the outbreak of bird flu in Binyamina.
Senior
Jewish People Policy Planning Institute directors presented
ministers with the JPPPIs 2007 Annual Assessment.
The
Israel Cabinet decided to extend South Lebanon Army veterans
current eligibility for rent subsidies, until 31.3.08.
The
Director of the Israel Prime Ministers Office Division
for Coordination, Follow-up and Control heads the committee
for dealing with former SLA veterans in Israel. The committee
will prepare a comprehensive plan for former SLA veterans in
Israel.
The
Cabinet approved the Israel Ministerial Committee on IDF Reserve
Dutys 30.12.07 decision regarding a series of benefits
for reservists.
The
Israel Cabinet discussed the disbursement of support payments
to eligible Holocaust survivors. See http://tinyurl.com/2y8egq
and http://tinyurl.com/2dxfmf for further details.
The
Cabinet discussed increasing local councils independent
sources of income. See http://tinyurl.com/2dxfmf for further
details.
Pursuant
to the 1959 Israel Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Cabinet
extended Frieda Yisraelis appointment as Acting Director
of the Finance Ministry State Revenue Division until 17.3.08
or until the end of the suspension of Director Yehoshua Vita,
whichever comes first.
The
Israel Cabinet approved the appointment of four new members
to the Anti-Drug Authority Council.
Pursuant
to the 1988 Israel Anti - Drug Authority Law, the Cabinet extended
Haim Messings term as Authority Director-General until
29.2.08.
In light of the continuation of hostile terrorist activities
based in the Gaza Strip and in continuation of its 27.11.06
decision (http://tinyurl.com/ywyvbn), the Israel Cabinet approved
an assistance plan for Sderot and the communities adjacent to
the Gaza Strip for 2008. NIS 23.375 will be allocated for health,
education and other forms of assistance. This will be added
to previous Government plans, the implementation of which has
yet to be concluded. See http://tinyurl.com/2dxfmf for further
details.
Pursuant
to Article 31 of the Israel Basic Law: The Government (http://tinyurl.com/2v5nk),
the Cabinet established a new Ministry of Religious Services
and appointed Minister Yitzhak Cohen as Religious Services Minister.
The
Cabinet discussed extending the temporary housing eligibility
of families who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip and northern
Samaria, who are eligible to join a relocation agreement according
to Article 85 of the Disengagement Plan Implementation Law.
The
Israel Cabinet today approved the draft 2008 Electricity Law
and authorized the Ministerial Committee on Legislation and
Law Enforcement to approve the final version, which will be
submitted to the Knesset in Jerusalem.