Photo by GPO

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his wife Aliza, today in the sukkah at the Prime Minister’s Jerusalem Residence, hosted a group of outstanding scientists, a delegation of social activists and Israeli Paralympic athletes.

Prime Minister Olmert decided to host the scientists, each of whom has won prestigious research grants, either in Israel or abroad, in order to become acquainted with them and hear about their fields, which include – inter alia – stem cell research, advanced devices to restore sight to the blind, anti-cancer and anti-AIDS drugs and research to increase the scent of flowers.  The Prime Minister spoke with them about the situation of higher education, Government investments in research, and development and the reforms being carried out in the education system.  He said: “I am proud to meet you.  You represent one of Israel’s true sources of strength.  Israel is not rich in natural resources but in human resources and abilities, and you are proof of this.  It is moving to see that you are benefiting today from the great efforts we have made so that Israel could be a partner in EU research and development programs, which enabled some of you to receive the grants that you have.  When I was Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment, we made great efforts to join these programs and, therefore, I am very pleased.  Israel leads the world in investment in research and development as a percentage of GDP, 4.8%, and my dream is for us to reach 10% in the future.”  The scientists noted the importance of pure science alongside practical science, the need to maintain quality staff at institutions of higher learning, and the importance of allocating resources to research grants, similar to those in the EU.

Photo by GPO

Afterwards, Prime Minister and Mrs. Olmert met with a group of noted social activists in fields such as the struggle against violence and trafficking in women, helping children with cancer, accompanying and guiding the blind, adopting lone soldiers and promoting rural settlement in the Negev.    The activists discussed their personal stories that led them to volunteer to help others and various aspects of their work.  They also thanked Aliza Olmert for her efforts over the years on behalf of children at risk and the ‘Good Start’ program.  Mrs. Olmert commended their efforts in seeing to it that approximately 50,000 children at risk receive proper care.  The Prime Minister told the activists: “You represent the finer side of Israeli society, which we are all proud to be part of.  You are in the vanguard of a great public of volunteers whom we must be proud of.  Even in the context of the changes that we made in the various ministries’ budgets, there are issues that we have taken care to maintain against every cutback and social welfare is one of the most important of these.  Not only have we not cut it, we have even increased the budgets devoted to it.

Social welfare activity is what builds the internal strength of Israeli society.”

Prime Minister and Mrs. Olmert also hosted the athletes who represented Israel at the recent Beijing Paralympics, who discussed their training regimens and asked that their conditions be equalized with those of non-handicapped athletes.  Prime Minister Olmert said: “As a sports enthusiast, I followed your Paralympic endeavors and was pleased by the medals that I saw.  Your participation in the Paralympics was impressive and respectable.  You showed outstanding determination and you are an example of how to achieve in spite of difficulties.”