The Jewish people seeks peace and is loyal to the ancient decree calling on it to "seek peace and pursue it," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Thursday night at a ceremony in the memory of IDF casualties and terror victims.
"We will do everything in our power to advance peace with those who are willing to make real peace with us, peace of the brave," Barak said at the Netiv Aryeh Yeshiva at Jerusalem's Western Wall. "At the same time, we will safeguard our security and our lives."
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Barak noted that Israel was situated within a hostile environment, and that "there are still very many who do not want peace with us and who do not accept our existence here as a done deal, forever."
'Say less, do more'
Addressing the threats posed by Arab states, the defense minister said: "The concentrated effort to bring the army to the highest level of readiness continues in order to deter any enemy and defeat it if necessary. Vigorous steps are also being taken in order to improve home front defenses."
Barak noted that much work still remains ahead, and added that when it comes to issues such as the Iranian threat it would be better to follow the advice of Jewish sages: Say less and do more.
During Thursday's ceremony, eight Torah scrolls were brought into the yeshiva, including one in memory of the Mercaz Harav yeshiva victims.
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