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Following are Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s comments at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting, today (Sunday), 23.1.05, in Sderot:
“Mr. Mayor, you have stood here on difficult days, you have demonstrated outstanding leadership.
After a long period of Palestinian terrorism and intensive operations by our security forces against terror, quiet has prevailed.
We still do not know if there has been a genuine change in the situation. We hope so. We are closely monitoring events. One thing is clear - if terrorism is renewed, according to the Cabinet’s decision, Israel will do everything to prevent attacks on Sderot, the Negev and the communities in the Gaza Strip.
The Cabinet is meeting here in Sderot in order to express its appreciation of your steadfastness and that of the Negev and Gaza communities.
Today, we will be briefed on the aid being granted to these communities, and we will hear from the local council heads about what else can be done to help.”
The Cabinet will also have a security briefing:
I have heard criticism more than once, and I want to tell you that even if things are not always done publicly, we have never stopped acting on behalf of the residents here.
I am a neighbor of the city of Sderot. I have heard the explosions many times and I know how hard and frustrating it is to live like this, in Sderot, in Nir-Am, in Sa’ad, in Gush Katif and everywhere else that is under attack.
I hope that the quiet will continue, and if not, the IDF and the security forces will continue to do everything in order to remove the threat from residents here.”
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