President Shimon Peres on Tuesday morning 16 Adar 5773 visited the Sdot Negev Regional Council area, near Gaza. During the visit President Peres addressed the Grad rocket fire earlier in the day.

Mr. Peres said “Quiet will be met with quiet. They have no interest in raising the flames but if they fire then they can expect a response.” President Peres was asked about the disturbances in Yehuda and Shomron and he responded, “I do not want to be a prophet of fear. They have an interest in maintaining quiet because if there isn’t quiet then they put at risk their development and civil life. I will receive detailed briefings from the security heads, I can’t respond to rumors.”

As part of his tour President Peres visited a local greenhouse in the agricultural community of Tekuma. President Peres expressed his solidarity with farmers in the region in light of the security situation and said, “Agriculture in this region is the spearhead of the State of Israel. Under fire you work the land and produce excellent yields.” President Peres took part in a tomato harvest and received a briefing on the wide variety of produce in the region.

Peres went on to meet with 30 leading farmers who are developing new varieties of produce. The farmers surprised the president when they told him that they had decided to name a new variety of tomato after him. Tzion Cohen, who initiated the idea, said “It is a great honor to name this new variety of tomato after you as a thank you for your contribution to the country and the residents of the south. This variety has an exceptionally long shelf life and can withstand difficult conditions, qualities which typify you, Mr. President.” President Peres thanked the farmers and said, “Despite the security challenges I see prosperity here. I believe that Israel can help the entire region out of poverty through the development of hi-tech agriculture.”

President Peres met with 200 high school students and answered their questions. One of the pupils asked President Peres about Jonathan Pollard to which he answered, “I intend to raise the issue of Jonathan Pollard during my meeting with President Obama during his upcoming visit to Israel. I did this the last time we met and will do everything I can to convey this clear message: Jonathan Pollard must be released from prison on humanitarian grounds.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)