Olmert: If shooting continues, we'll respond
At start of weekly cabinet meeting, prime minister expressed his hope ceasefire will be maintained, but clarifies that 'if the firing doesn’t cease, the IDF is prepared. We'll act without hesitations as required.' Minister Friedmann says troops must not leave Gaza before Gilad Shalit is released
"If the firing continues, the IDF is prepared. We'll know how to act without hesitations as required," Olmert said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, several hours after the unilateral ceasefire declared by Israel took effect, and after Hamas gunmen fired six rockets into the western Negev.
"The ceasefire decision leaves Israel with the freedom of power to respond and resume its military activities should the terror organizations continue firing."
Olmert had compliments not only for the security services. He also conveyed a message to Benjamin Netanyahu: "I laud the opposition chairman, who expressed his support for the government during the operation and explained Israel's stances in the world. The entire opposition showed maturity, devotion and responsibility.
"This morning I read that the Right is seeking to destroy the operation's achievements, and I hope no one tries to sabotage these great accomplishments of the State of Israel. This is a national project, and I don’t believe anyone would stand up and explain to the world that they have won."
The prime minister also had good things to say about Cairo: "I think that the Egyptians decision to stand behind the understanding that we are holding fire while leaving the IDF forces in Gaza is not obvious. This is not a simple thing."
'The world is with us'
Olmert went on to address the unusual diplomatic gesture expected to take place Sunday evening, with the arrival of several heads of state – including Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Italian President Silvio Berlusconi and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero – at his official Jerusalem residence for dinner.
"They're coming to express their support for the comprehensive arrangement in order to bring about a state of calm in southern Israel," the prime minister said, adding that on Saturday night he had spoken to US President George W. Bush, "who once again proved his friendship with Israel."
Olmert said that while Israel was negotiating for peace, in order to guarantee that the region's citizens live in peace and security, Hamas boosted its operations after receiving orders from Iran.
"The entire world agrees that we must stop Hamas from growing stronger, and so does the Arab world," the prime minister concluded.
'Not without Gilad'
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said the Israeli forces should not leave Gaza before an arrangement is made for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit."The IDF forces are in the Gaza Strip, and I sincerely hope that the Strip will not be evacuated without returning Gilad Shalit."
Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai said that "as long as Shalit isn't home, we must not stop the IDF strikes. I'm not opposed to a new ground deployment in Gaza, but we must continue firing from the air."
National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said that "the cell which fired at the IDF forces in the Gaza Strip has been killed. However, no one expected an immediate ceasefire. We all heard what Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, that the price tag for a ceasefire in Gaza is firm and abiding."
