Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this afternoon met with a US Congressional delegation led by Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD).  The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the decisions (http://tinyurl.com/b9g2lh & http://tinyurl.com/bqkdeo)  that Congress took during Operation Cast Lead in support of Israel and its right to defend its residents against Hamas terrorist attacks.
 
Prime Minister Olmert updated the delegation on his intention to submit to the Security Cabinet, on Wednesday, 18.2.09, a proposal to advance the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, strengthen the efforts to prevent the smuggling of weapons and ammunition to the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and bring about quiet and security for the residents of the south.  He emphasized that Gilad Shalit's release is the key to advancing understandings that will ensure quiet in the south.