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This institution is probably the most explicit example of a crucial cornerstone in the building of the strength of Israeli society. It must be an inseparable part of our education system. It is perhaps one of the aspects which, unfortunately, for many years, has not received its proper place in the overall components of the education system which we must cultivate.
Every good Jewish family aspires to see its children graduate high school, receive a high school diploma and go to university to study medicine or some other thing. Over the past few years, we have begun losing those with technical professions, who do not necessarily require extensive academic education, but in whose absence we cannot have an advanced economy, certainly not one which is based on advanced technology. We were at the risk of losing all these technological professions because of lack of proper balance between the theoretical and professional side of our education system.
This school could make an enormous contribution to this body of professional, technological skills which we must develop. A large number of its graduates will most likely not become pilots, but trust me when I tell you that the pilots would not have been able to fly if they did not have an infrastructure of technological and technical know-how, without which we could not have developed the sophisticated, modern, technical and technological system which we are developing. It would simply be impossible.
The Air Force has some remarkable achievements. I can attest to them; I have witnessed them up close and I have seen their outstanding capabilities. It is a massive machine spearheaded by a pilot which flies the most sophisticated aircraft in the world and successfully hits precise targets, which are often dozens of kilometers away. However, surrounding the pilot is a countless number of the most excellent, sophisticated and modern professionals in the world, without whom the pilot could not fly.
This is why this school is so important. I am pleased that we are inaugurating this school today in the city of Beer Sheva. These two days are dedicated, in a large part, to the Negev, with the approach of the anniversary of the passing of Israel's Founding Father, David Ben-Gurion, the man whose great vision, whose life's dream, was to build and settle the Negev. I am pleased that on this occasion and under these circumstances, we are inaugurating the school here in the city of Beer-Sheva, as part of a professional, advanced, technological academic campus which is gradually expanding and becoming a component in the build up of Israel's future scientific and educational force. We have the Ben-Gurion university, the Beer Sheva Academic College, the Technical School and soon we will have the Science Industries Park which the Government of Israel has helped establish. If we combine all these things, we see a momentum which is part of the tremendous effort made by the Government of Israel to build the Negev.
The most impressive news which we heard this afternoon was the statement made by Elie Elalouf, and I will repeat it, with your permission, Elie. Elie said that, despite the impression which may have been created, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense were all involved in this project and they all acted in full cooperation. So who said there was no cooperation in the Government?
I also want to thank the Bistritzer family for their great contribution, which warms our hearts and is very important to us. Everything Mr. Bistritzer said is true and real and important. It is not just statements made for the purpose of this ceremony. They express a deep truth, and I tell you, on behalf of the Government of Israel and the State of Israel, that your assistance to the State of Israel is very significant and I want to thank you both. I know that many in Israel are familiar with the name of the Sacta-Rashi Foundation, which used to operate as two separate branches and is now united, but very few people know the names of Gustav Leven and Hubert Leven who are, in fact, the Rashi Foundation. They are the donors and they are very modest people. I cannot begin to enumerate the number of projects which Gustav Leven, as founder of the Sacta-Rashi Foundation, commenced – projects which were continued in recent years by Hubert Leven, under the leadership of Elie Elalouf in the State of Israel.
No one has contributed more to the State of Israel as these people have in every place in the country. A considerable portion, by the way, went to the Nourishment Project which we have initiated, implemented this year with the dynamic momentum of the Minister of Education, who is significantly bolstering the education system, and we will help her. The Prime Minister's Office is commanded by the Minister of Education in everything relating to the development of the education system. This is just another opportunity and there will be many more, since you are involved in dozens of such projects on behalf of the State of Israel and the Government of Israel. I want to thank you, on behalf of all those who, thanks to you, enjoy a quality of living and an opportunity in life.
Finally, some short remarks regarding issues on the agenda. You heard the strong statements made by our Minister of Defense. Gentlemen, I have no doubt that a decision by all Palestinian organizations to stop the fire in the south is a very significant one. For many weeks we have tried, very carefully and in coordination with the Palestinian authorities, to assist in the creation of a process which could lead to this decision, and I am pleased at the announcement made by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, who said to me, unequivocally, that it was a full obligation by all Palestinian organizations.
I answered Abu-Mazen, after I consulted with the Ministers and members of the Security Cabinet, that an agreement to stop fighting and stop shooting is Gaza was not the end of the story, and that we would continue to fight for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit. We will fight for the cessation of terrorism also in Judea and Samaria, but if they are willing to stop all shooting, smuggling of weapons through tunnels and firing of Qassam rockets, we will view this as a vital step and I believe that it could be part of some continuous process which will soon lead to negotiations between us and the Palestinian Authority.
This was the understanding between the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority and myself as part of a quiet process of dialogue which we have maintained for a few weeks. I will tell you a secret. When I advised my fellow ministers last night of this proposal, we knew that there was a chance that this cease-fire would not be immediately implemented exactly in accordance with the commitment. Experience, particularly in this part of the world, has taught us that not everything finds immediate expression in a comprehensive, complete and orderly manner.
The State of Israel is an extremely powerful State and is capable of fighting any terrorist organization – and all of them put together – when the need arises and when they fight us. It is so powerful that it can also afford to show restraint in order to give the cease-fire a serious chance. The cease-fire is not the ultimate goal, but merely a phase in a process which we hope would create the dynamic which will lead to negotiations and dialogue and maybe, ultimately, also an agreement between us and the Palestinians.
This is the ultimate commitment of this Government. It is what motivates and sustains it and it is what gives us the strength to go forward. It is therefore my hope that the combination of these circumstances – the Ben-Gurion anniversary, this addition to the build-up of power of Israel's technological education system, and the beginning, maybe, of a sustainable cease-fire – are all signs of hope that while there may be some difficult days ahead, there are also days which offer a real chance.
Thank you very much.
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