Olmert praises Gaza Division fighters
Day before publication of Winograd report into failures of Second Lebanon War, prime minister visits Gaza Division, where he is briefed on situation in Strip and Gaza vicinity communities, tells soldiers, 'You are brave and determined fighters'
"I am happy that I have this opportunity to thank you in person, on behalf of myself and the government, for the wonderful activity taking place here," Olmert told the fighters.
Olmert was briefed by the division commander, Brigadier-General Moshe Tamir, and the Edom Division commander, Brigadier-General Yoel Strik, as well as by regiment commanders serving in the area.
The commanders briefed the prime minister on the main events they had dealt with on the southern front in recent months and presented the army's operations and routine activities in the Gaza area and on Israel's western border.
Olmert later met with soldiers from the Golani unit's 12th brigade serving in the area.
Praising the soldiers (Photo: GPO)
The prime minister told the soldiers, "A war is taking place in southern Israel, and people living in the center do not always feel it or understand it. When there is a laconic report about an IDF force hitting terrorists, not many can imagine the extent of the IDF and the security forces' activity behind such an incident.
"You are the reason that countless terror activities, which could have resulted in many casualties among Israel's citizens, were thwarted. Over the past three months we killed more than 130 terrorists, and fortunately, the injuries on our side are immensely low. You are brave and determined fighters with exceptional motivation, which enables you to operate here day and night without any interruptions."
Preparing for next visit
Olmert also spoke about the government's considerable investment in security.
"You asked me about the budget, and asked for an increase in order to purchase improved facilities, and I can tell you that for the first time we have adopted a security budget for the next 10 years with an addition of NIS 100 billion (about $27.5 billion).
"Although this plan is shared by a large number of units and must meet many diverse needs among the security forces' different units, but I am certain that during my next visit here you'll be able to tell me that improvement has been made in that area too."
Earlier Tuesday, Olmert received a supporting phone call from Shas' spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who told him, "Don't fear as I am with you." The prime minister thanked the rabbi. The phone called was made on the backdrop of the political crisis Olmert is facing ahead of the Winograd report's publication.
On Monday, the prime minister told the Kadima faction members, "I have been asked many times what would happen this week. You can be calm, we have many more years to govern."
Over the past few weeks, Olmert has said that he has no plans to discuss an agreed upon date for early elections. "The prime minister will not hold any negotiations on an election date and will not send the country into a year of political madness, a year in which nothing can be done," an aide to Olmert said.
