Following are Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today:

“We are saddened that, over the weekend, the terrorist organizations continued their murderous attacks, this time claiming a victim in Kfar Aza, Jimmy Kedoshim.  Over the weekend, I heard about Jimmy from his friends and acquaintances in Kfar Aza.  His story, like those of the other victims of this murderous, Gaza Strip-based terrorism, is heartbreaking.  Let it be clear that he Government of Israel views Hamas as responsible for all that happens, vis-à-vis terrorism from the Gaza Strip.  We do not check the organizations’ tiny details.  The dominant, controlling element in the Gaza Strip is Hamas.  It is responsible and it will have to bear the consequences and full responsibility for this activity.  We do not intend to countenance this; we have said so time and again.  The reality that prevails today must change.  Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take the steps that it must in order to ensure quiet.  This will not end in a day or a week.  We never promised this; we cannot promise this.  But I promise one thing: Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take strong action that will – in the end – bring quiet.

Regarding events in Lebanon, I do not think that I must go into detail except that the State of Israel is naturally monitoring events there.

This week, US President George Bush will make his second visit to Israel within a few months in order to express his participation – and that of the American people – in our celebrations marking the State of Israel’s 60th Independence Day.  Naturally, when the US President visits, we will deal not only with celebrations but with substantive, strategic issues, vis-à-vis the future of the State of Israel.  These issues will certainly be an inseparable part of his visit here.

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