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Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron on Monday morning 6 Elul, opened the 2014-2015 school year by meeting with first and second grade pupils at the New Amit Torani School in Sderot and the Mevoim School in the Merchavim Regional Council district.

At the New Amit Torani School in Sderot, Prime Minister Netanyahu told the pupils: “Be good friends with each other and be hungry for knowledge. This is what distinguishes us and gives our people special strength. We are the People of the Book and today the people of the tablet as well. We hold on to our heritage and also the future. Study the Bible, our heritage, math, computers and science. Our heritage and the future go hand in hand. Be hungry for knowledge on behalf of the People of Israel, the State of Israel, the Land of Israel, yourselves and your families. We will take care to give you knowledge and security.”

Education Minister Piron added, “Today, as you start first grade, I would like to give you an assignment, not homework. Look around. Think about who has fewer friends, look around and ask who made fewer trips over the summer. This is an assignment for each of you. If during the year a child does not come to school because he is sick, don’t forget to call him. Treat your teachers with respect. When you talk to each other in the yard, don’t forget to talk nicely. Our greatest test is not how we behave in wartime but how we behave in times of peace. Our true test is the test of morality, identity and treating each other properly.”

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi told Prime Minister Netanyahu “I do not think that Sderot has ever had so many visits by a prime minister in such a short time. Mr. Prime Minister, we rely on you and very much appreciate the weight of the responsibility that you took upon yourself in leading this operation along with the Defense Minister and the Chief-of-Staff. We won a great military victory and a great civilian victory. We thank you for your partnership with Sderot and the close attention which proves that Sderot, the area adjacent to Gaza and the State of Israel are important.”

At the Mevoim School Prime Minister Netanyahu told pupils: “I know that you did not have as nice a summer as you had planned. I hope that during the upcoming holidays you will have time to relax, play and be with your families and friends. Be friends with each other. Be good children for your parents and be excellent pupils. Have a safe and successful year. Together we will continue the momentum of development because this is the strongest response to our enemies. They thought that they could drive us out of here. We are building up, and will build up, this country and this part of it.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)