"During my visit to Berlin last week I witnessed first hand the price we paid for being helpless, but we returned to our homeland, and we are obligated to strengthen our hold on the land and preserve our independence," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toldstudents at a school in Sdeh Eliyahu belonging to the cooperative settlement movement (Hityashvut Ovedet).
Netanyahu visited a number of schools throughout the country on Tuesday, the first day of the new school year.
"We advocate education that stresses values, Zionism and a love of the land, which you are practicing here," he told the students and faculty at Sde Eliyahu.
During his meeting with students in Modi'in, Netanyahu was asked whether he was excited about being elected prime minister. "Yes, but not a much as the last time, because I knew what was waiting for me," he responded.
Addressing the reports of a possible prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, the PM said captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit would be returned "only when it will be made possible. We are continually thinking and working towards this end."
Meanwhile, during her visit to the Shevach Mofet School in Tel Aviv, Opposition leader Tzipi Livni spokeof the situation in Gaza. "I said before, during and after Operation Cast Lead thatwhen attacked we must respond with force.
"Hamas realized after the IDF offensive that the State of Israel will not accept a reality in which its citizens are threatened and attacked on a daily basis. I oppose any dialogue with Hamas, I don’t believe in hudnas (ceasefires) or in the prospect of peace coming from any agreement we may reach them," she told the students.
Turning her attention to the Shalit issue Livni said, "We are committed to bring him home, but people must understand that on the other side there is a murderous and extremist terror organization that is taking advantaged of our concern (for Shalit)."