"I have been dealing with this issue for a long time but I thought that the negotiations needed to be conducted by the parties themselves without my intervention.  However, this meeting has been called today  in order to make a decision.  I understand the existing problems but students at all institutions in Israel need to begin the academic year on Sunday, 2.11.08.  I want the academic institutions to return to operating at full strength and, at this meeting, we will make a decision to enable this."