Photo by GPO

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this morning  dedicated the Israeli-French School at Mikve Israel, the product of cooperation between the Alliance Israelite Universelle, the Rashi Foundation and the Education Ministry.  The Prime Minister said:
"I would like to thank you for this splendid institution, an Israeli-French school.  The link between Israel and France is strong and long-standing and the existence of another cultural-educational institution in which it will be possible to experience both cultures only further strengthens the warm bonds between the two peoples. 

I cannot help but comment on events currently taking place in the south of the country.  I would like to tell you that our – the Government of Israel's – goal is that Ashkelon, Gabim, Sderot and Nahal Oz will be able to live in the same quiet that the residents of Paris and Marseilles live in.  We have the same right as any other country to defend ourselves and our residents.  I think that it is possible to understand this desire to act after seven years in which we rockets were fired at our residents and we did not respond.  In this context, I would like to add that we have not declared war on the residents of Gaza.  We do not want to hurt them.  Every civilian, every child, who has been hurt as a result of our operations in recent days is a victim whom we regret and would like to have avoided.  However, we will not renounce our right to defend our citizens and we will not allow them to continue suffering from the threats of rockets and terrorism."

Prime Minister Olmert continued on to Bat Yam, where he and his wife Aliza, attended the opening of a daycare center. 

 The Prime Minister said:
"This is the State of Israel's true agenda – dedicating a school and a daycare center, an educational agenda.  It is important and it is decisive.  Events now taking place n the south are designed to allow us to uphold such an agenda throughout the country, even in the south, without children having to stay at home or in shelters.  This is our obligation to the residents of the south who have been unable to sleep peacefully in recent years.  Every day we are making efforts designed to strengthen the chance that residents of the south will be able to sleep in peace but the we will continue to lovingly, and with concern, invest the state's main resources in centers such as this one that will enable Israeli children to have a better start, equal opportunities and a life marked by the development of excellence."

Photo by GPO

Prime Minister Olmert then went to Ashkelon where he met with southern mayors and regional council chairmen.  He was accompanied by Construction and Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim, Interior Minister Meir Shetrit and Education Minister Yuli Tamir.  Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai discussed the actions currently being taken vis-א-vis structural reinforcement, emergency economic measures and other emergency activity.  National Emergency Authority Director Zeev Tzuk-Ram discussed the Authority's activities.  National Information Directorate Coordinator Yarden Vatikay presented the http://www.oz.gov.il website and the mayors and council chairmen detailed the feelings of their residents.  Prime Minister Olmert said:
"I met with you two weeks ago and I am pleased to see that you are managing your cities' affairs very well.  This does not surprise me.  The true basis for residents' lives is local leadership.  A good municipality is better than any Government ministry because, in the end, it is you who meet residents' daily needs.  Today, I hear from you what I hear from the entire nation – great support for the operation, which will lead us to the quiet that we hope for.  For seven years you lived under this threat.  The shriek of rockets is etched in our consciousness.  We, the Government, made great efforts to reach various arrangements that would facilitate quiet.  We did not look to prove that we are strong.  But circumstances became unbearable.  Even now, after the operation has begun, our demands are modest – to bring you quiet and to prevent Hamas from rearming.  Is this excessive?  Isn't this what every country wants for its citizens?  We will not hesitate to strike with full force until conditions are such that quiet is possible.  Here, we will be measured in the future by the results of our current actions.  What is important now is to show equanimity, calm and security.  I thank you for your kind words and for your unreserved support for the Government and its actions, and, of course, for the IDF and its soldiers.  We are working to provide you with the tranquil lives that you deserve."