Israel Cabinet Meets - Olmert Discusses UJC General Assembly

By Herb Brandon
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem----November 20...... The following was communicated by the Israel Cabinet Secretariat to the Israel News Agency.

At the weekly Cabinet meeting Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert briefed ministers on his visit to the USA last week. The visit had two main goals: meet with Jewish community leaders at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Los Angeles and meet with US President George Bush and senior administration officials.

Israel Prime Minister Olmert discussed both his address to the UJC GA and his meeting with US President Bush. Olmert's speech now follows.

Mr. Chairman, this is the last time I can call you, Bobby – and at this forum – Mr. Chairman, The Honorable Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Distinguished Ministers of the Israel Government, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of so many Jewish communities across North America, thank you for this opportunity; it is such a pleasure to be here with you all.

Thank you Bobby. Thank you for your great service on behalf of the Jewish people. I have followed your career throughout the years, including during this last period at UJC. I have always been impressed by your thoughtfulness, and the practical manner in which you address the vital issues confronting the Jewish people, especially as UJC Chairman. I am sure that this is not the end of your activities as one of the most important, influential and involved Jewish leaders in the world. I am sure, knowing you for so many years, that you will continue to work for the Jewish people, on behalf of the Jewish people and for the State of Israel, as you have done for all your life. Thank you very much.

I also want to welcome the new Chairman of UJC, Joe Kanfer. Your responsibility ahead in guiding the United Jewish Communities is formidable, and I am sure you will represent us all with honor. I wish to thank a dear friend of mine, who spent the past 4-and-a-half years here in the United States, serving honorably on behalf of the State of Israel, Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Danny Ayalon, who, unfortunately could not join us today in Los Angeles. I still want to thank Danny, even in his absence, on behalf of the State of Israel, for his outstanding service and personal commitment through a very hectic and challenging term in the United States.

And on this occasion, I also wish to acknowledge another very special friend of mine, who is here with us today, Israel's new Ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor. Sallai, your posting here comes at a pivotal time. And as I look around this room (quite a big room I have to say, and quite crowded), I see you will have many friends to help you fulfill your important mission.

My dear friends, I wish to share with you just one part of one letter I received from a father mourning the loss of his son during the fighting in Lebanon: "My name is Ami Shrier, I am 61 years old, born in Haifa, married to Yaffa from the house of Rubin, may they rest in peace, survivors of the Holocaust, survivors of Auschwitz. My parents made Aliyah in 1936 from Vilna to Israel, which allowed for their survival; the rest of our family perished in the Holocaust.

"Today I joined the bereaved families; it is difficult; it is difficult and I am only at the beginning of the way. I miss my son Yiftach so very much – the salt of the earth, son of the country. Graduate of Herzl School, a leader in the Tidhar group of the scouts of Haifa. Twin brother of Jordan, born on the 11th of September, 1984. Yiftach enlisted into the paratroopers, finished his arduous training and finished both his commanders’ and officers’ course with high honors… "I am sorry for taking up your valuable time Mr. Prime Minister, but I grieve the loss of my child and at the same time, I want to strengthen you."

Ami Shrier’s letter is just one of many letters I received from bereaved families during the fighting. Some letters were supportive and others critical, but all epitomized the heart and soul of the kindred Jewish spirit. The visionary Theodor Herzl stated, "It is true that we aspire to our ancient land. But what we want in that ancient land is a new blossoming of the Jewish spirit."

This Conference is a tribute to fulfilling Herzl's dream, the Jewish nation's dream: re-discovering Jewish values, raising awareness of Jewish tradition, promoting Jewish unity, exploring Jewish identity and all while strengthening ties between the Jewish Diaspora and the State of Israel; these responsibilities are very important to you, but they are vital to the State of Israel.

UJC translates Jewish values into social action in America, Israel and around the world. Your prompt action and exceptional generosity, which knows no boundaries, assisted Israel's reconstruction of the North with incredible vigor. UJC immediately donated 50 million dollars for emergency welfare projects during the recent fighting. Since then, over 350 million dollars were raised with the sole purpose of supporting reconstruction projects aimed at developing and strengthening the very areas adversely affected. You also supported Israel this summer in numerous solidarity missions. To all of you who made a pilgrimage to Israel in the midst of the fighting, I say: your presence reassured me and the entire population of Israel, that Israelis and the Jewish Diaspora share unbreakable bonds of allegiance.

We are one people. We have one heritage. We share one future, a future which we create together. Together, we must also remain dedicated in our fight against those who persecute us on account of our religion. Together, we will raise awareness of the world-wide phenomenon of anti-Semitism. We must have patience with those who challenge us. We must remain calm with those who provoke us. We must strive to inform those who have been misled about our religion. And we must never be complacent about those who seek to hurt us.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The recent fighting in Lebanon tested Israel's resilience, and despite all that has been said and written, we stood up to the challenge. This summer the brave soldiers of the IDF, including soldiers from reserve units who volunteered in unprecedented numbers, fought with resilience and heroism. They fought without fear, hesitance or self-consideration. They fought in a war of wanton aggression started by Hizbullah and fueled by zealotry and hate. This was Hizbullah’s war. This was Iran's war; not Lebanon’s war. And not Israel’s war. Hizbullah was dealt a blow they did not calculate and were not prepared for. Israel’s response proved we would not tolerate continued threats against us. It is enough merely to quote Hizbullah’s leader who said he would not have initiated the abductions had he known Israel would react with even one percent of the force we did.

The security situation in Lebanon has been forever altered – we will never return to the former status quo. The Lebanon military, and not Hizbullah, is deployed in the south. The Lebanese government started to assert its sovereignty over the entire state. Now, the main task that lies ahead is the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701.

There are many lessons that must be drawn from this war. We will learn them and we will correct whatever is needed. We already started this process. But there is only one, ever so precious goal that Israel did not yet achieve. We have not returned home the abducted soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. I asked Ehud's wife, Karnit Goldwasser, to join us here today. Karnit, please stand up. Karnit, I promise you that Israel will do – that I will do – the utmost to bring back our dear sons and bring Udi back to your arms. Together with Gilad Shalit, abducted by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, there is nothing more important to me than bringing our three heroes back home. I ask everybody to keep those brave men and their families in your thoughts and in your prayers.

As Israel focuses its attention on our Palestinian neighbors, we owe it to the future generations of both Israelis and Palestinians to dedicate ourselves to finding a means for progress. A choice needs to be made. We can embrace hope, and together we will revitalize our two peoples and the entire region, providing for our children the opportunity and prosperity that only comes with security and understanding. Or we can be gripped by fear and conflict in which we ruin not only ourselves but the future for generations to come. Let me be clear… Israel chooses hope. Israel chooses peace. But Israel cannot accept a government led by an organization that denies our existence, actively pushes to destroy our society through unending terrorist attacks or refuses to even recognize former agreements signed upon by Israelis and Palestinians.

It is unacceptable for Hamas to participate in the Palestinian political system while maintaining its ability to commit terrorist actions concurrently. The leaders of the Palestinian Authority must create hope for their own people. They must rise to the challenges of governing, and lead their people, without succumbing to the difficulties of uniting a fragmented populace or to extremists who favor a culture of hate.

We must stop the spiraling conflict, end the fight between us, and bring peace to our battered region. Far too many people have lost their lives in this continuous struggle. Generations of both our people have been scarred with the effects of these ongoing acts of violence. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has continued far too long. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best: “We must learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to perish together as fools.” It is clear that progress can be achieved only by talking to each other.

Here and again I declare, I am willing to meet Chairman Abbas immediately, without any preconditions, to discuss with him means for creating progress for our two peoples and hope for a better future in our region. Ladies and Gentlemen, We have reached the pivotal moment of truth regarding Iran. It would be an unbearable sin to future generations to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. What would we tell our children? How can we justify not preventing this catastrophic event?

If Iran achieves the ability to produce nuclear weapons, as we know it is seeking to do, we will enter a new era of instability unlike any the world has ever seen. We cannot afford to wait. We must all speak with one voice. No longer can the international community afford to hesitate, contemplate or waver in its dealing with this defiant state. No longer can we allow Iran to defer the demands of the international community without consequence. We cannot tolerate – we will not tolerate – those who challenge Israel’s right to exist while actively seeking to develop the catastrophic weapons to fulfill their goals. America's leadership in preventing Iran's nuclearization is indisputable and unequaled.

I just met my good friend, a true friend of Israel, President George W. Bush in Washington. Believe me, he is a great friend to the State of Israel. We discussed this issue at great length. His determination to prevent this most serious of developments is unquestionable. But America must have the support of the international community if we are to successfully defuse this mortal threat. Our actions will be measured by results, not intentions. Our integrity will remain intact only if we prevent Iran's devious goals, not if we try our best but fail. Our generation will be judged by its ability to ensure peace and security, not by its failure to stand up to the most challenging of threats. We did not choose this responsibility. But the burden is ours. We cannot, we will not, we shall not shy away from confronting this challenge.

Once before, calls to wipe out the Jewish people were appeased by the community of nations. Once before, but never again. A coalition of moderate Arab countries can and must unite their common interest in preventing Iran from undermining stability in the Middle East. This coalition must struggle against the dangers of radical Islam that manipulate the very source of Islam itself. We saw this coalition forming towards the end of the fighting in Lebanon. It is crucial for this coalition to be nurtured.

Dear friends and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, I am an optimist. I believe in the power of hope because I have seen how it can transform an entire nation, how hope can grab people by the heart and show them how tomorrow can be better and more prosperous than today. Throughout our history, when others expected us to cast our faith into darkness and despair, we have always been guided by the miracle of light.

Where others saw only desert and sand – we saw abundant fields and a countryside filled with life, hope and opportunity. Israel has the highest number of scientists per capita in the world. Our advancements in the hi-tech sector prove that our population is amongst the most innovative in the world. Superior medical research facilities demonstrate Israel's competitiveness in the most progressive of fields. International investments in the Israeli economy tripled this year to a record high of 20 billion dollars. Israeli exports are increasing, the stock market just reached an all-time high and the shekel, even against the dollar, is strengthening.

Israel is focusing on the strategic development of the Galilee, Negev and Jerusalem. Developing these strategic regions as integral parts of the country is a clear objective, necessary to ensure the long term stability of Israel and a brighter future for all Israelis. Israel recently dedicated 650 million dollars to be invested in developing the North and parts of the South by the end of 2007. We will focus on improving the educational system, increasing jobs in the area and raising the standard of living of the population affected by the events in the North. All are projects that your generosity helps fund. We have many more important missions to implement. In order to encourage as many Israelis as possible to live in the Galilee, we must create job opportunities and revitalize the destroyed infrastructure.

With your continued assistance and support, we will create a new reality in the Galilee. But please do not take my word alone on the wonders of our State. I urge each and every one of you to visit Israel. Join us. Participate in shaping our future, our heritage; strengthen the affinity between yourselves and your people – not next year in Jerusalem, but this year in Jerusalem.

The Israel Government together with the Jewish Agency, work in unison to strengthen the connection of the Jewish nation to Israel, increase Jewish-Zionist education and promote Aliyah through fantastic programs such as: birthright, Na’aleh, MASA and Nefesh B’Nefesh. I know how many of you are involved in these programs. I know how many of you invest in these programs.

And I want to tell you, from our side, that these programs are essential in order to build up the bond between Jewish youths and the State of Israel; Jewish youths and their perceptions of who they are as Jewish people. And this perception becomes so much more significant when they come to visit the State of Israel. Keep doing this, keep moving on this. It is very important. We must build ties between the Diaspora and Israel from a young age. We must promote our youth absorbing the tradition of their forefathers so that when the time comes, they might appropriately pass our age-old traditions on to their children. For we are all partners in Israel's fate. We are the hereditary benefactors of our ancient religion and culture.

With your dedication, the spirit of Israel continues to resound with abundance and harmony. No matter how many times I recite Israel's national anthem, I always fill with emotion as I say the final phrase: to be a free nation in our land, in the land of Zion and Jerusalem. We dedicate our lives to these cherished words we recite emotionally. We cry tears of joy knowing these words were fulfilled. We take oaths of honor swearing we will never let them be deferred. We live by these words, we fight for them, and throughout several generations, far too many have sacrificed their lives for them. Our lives are interconnected.

Our fates are intertwined. Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, as you so correctly said, is one. Your success is our success. Our success is your success. We may be separated by a vast ocean, but our hearts beat together… always. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your support and dedication and your love for Israel. Thank you.

Israel Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz and ISA Director Yuval Diskin briefed ministers on security and diplomatic issues from last week.

Defense Minister Peretz discussed events in Sderot and noted that the local population had been hit, including one woman who was fatally wounded. He said that Israel was faced with two principal security issues in the south: The accumulation of weapons and armaments in the Gaza Strip and how to deal with Kassam missiles.

These are separate issues and are being dealt with separately. Defense Minister Peretz discussed the IDF action in Beit Hanoun and said that Israel knew what needed to be done in order to reduce Kassam fire and push the launchers into areas in which they will be compelled to operate less freely. He stressed that IDF actions in general, and in Southern Command in particular, are important and vital and added that they - as well as the senior IDF command, including the Israel General Staff, Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Halutz, etc. - must enjoy full and unequivocal Government backing.

IDF Chief-of-Staff Halutz and ISA Director Diskin briefed ministers on the military and economic situation of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, Fatah-Hamas relations and efforts to establish a unity government in the Palestinian Authority. Foreign Minister Livni discussed the recent UN General Assembly session, which adopted a resolution on the events in Beit Hanoun.

She also briefed ministers on the EU foreign ministers statement regarding the events in Beit Hanoun. Israel Foreign Minister Livni referred to the Arab League decision to end the economic siege of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and said that the decision would be devoid of practical effect since Arab banks will prevent financial transfers to Hamas as long as US banks threaten to impose sanctions on international elements involved in transferring funds to Hamas. Foreign Minister Livni discussed the controversy over the wording of the draft decision to impose sanctions on Iran and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos’s initiative to convene an international conference to advance Israel-Palestinian negotiations.

The Foreign Minister made it clear to her Spanish counterpart that Israel has no intention of supporting an initiative that it is not coordinated with it. Prime Minister Olmert said that a technocratic government was not being formed in the PA but one that is the product of a political agreement between Fatah and Hamas to establish a national unity government in which there will be members from Hamas, Fatah and other groups within Palestinian society. It will be necessary to assess this government’s platform and commitments.

Regarding the population of Sderot, Israel Prime Minister Olmert stressed that he has always claimed that any local leadership must encourage and strengthen its residents and not just speak on their behalf, however stridently. He said: “I must say that last week I was impressed that Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal and other public leaders there have taken responsibility. I welcome this.” Regarding the tragedy in Beit Hanoun, Prime Minister Olmert said, “I always say - whenever innocents are killed by our actions - that we see this as a failure.

But the Palestinian terrorist organizations see it as policy. They fire Kassams solely in order to kill civilians. Now, when I see the inflexibility of the international community, of those who preach morality at us, I say: Do not preach morality at us. Do not send commissions of inquiry. Do not investigate us. We will refuse to the hypocritical and self-righteous game by those in the international community that try to compel us to act like we accept responsibility for war crimes. This will never happen. We will not cooperate with such an approach. Let this be clear. I do not think that we could agree to such an action or to any similar action. We give full backing to Chief-of-Staff Halutz and to all of the security forces in their struggle against terrorism. You exemplify a moral army and we flatly reject any attempt to cast moral aspersions on the IDF.”

Pursuant to the 1959 Israel Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Israel Cabinet approved the appointment of Rani Fintzi as Director of the Interior Ministry Local Authorities Administration in place of Yitzhak Balak.

Pursuant to its authority under the 1977 Israel Airports Authority Law, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Ovadiah Eli as Chairman of the Israel Airports Authority Council.