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

“Cabinet meetings usually deal with the current issues of the day and week.  Our agenda today is a little different.  We will discuss the strategic plan authored by Teva Chairman Eli Hurvitz, Sheldor Chairman Sammy Friedrich and former Finance Ministry Director-General David Brodet.  They are among the initiators of the idea for such a strategic plan.  It must be said that this plan was not initiated by the Government and I assume that at today’s meeting, we will not make the decisions required by it.  However, the time has come for the State of Israel to deal not only with daily issues but to make some sort of effort to form a worldview that we will act according to over time.  I thank, in advance, the tea that prepared this plan for its effort, for the initiative and for the desire to share this initiative with the Government of Israel.

Wednesday will be Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars and for the victims of terrorism.  This is the day on which the State of Israel – in accordance with the best of the tradition and heritage that make it unique – returns to being one large family.  A silence like no other spreads over the entire country and the entire people of Israel are wrapped in memories, deep thoughts a sense of being eternally grateful to those who laid the foundations, who showed the way, who fought and who gave their lives so that the State of Israel might joyously celebrate its independence.

While this year’s celebrations have been organized according to a different format, it must be emphasized that most of the budget that has been allocated by the Government in order to finance the 60th anniversary celebrations, which are being held under Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila’s leadership, are budgets that have been designated for technical, educational and heritage issues.  The funds for fireworks and such are a small and insignificant part of the significant educational activities that give special content to the way in which we conduct ourselves on this holiday.

Last Friday was very exciting for me.  As you know, the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team was victorious in a deeply exciting game that held our attention.  This evening, I am convinced that even we ministers will find two hours away from our concerns in order to watch Maccabi Tel Aviv in a struggle that represents not only it as a team but the entire State of Israel’s competitive and sporting spirit.  On behalf of the Government, I send greetings to the team, coach and club chairman.

You all know that last Wednesday, the Israel Police contacted me and asked to hold an hour-long investigation, within a short time.  I responded immediately and made the time available.  Last Friday, I met with Israel Police investigators for one hour.  I answered all the questions I was asked and cooperated with the investigators, who – I must point out – acted in a respectable and proper fashion.  To my regret, for reasons that do not depend on me, the country has been swept with a wave of rumors regarding the investigation.  I am certain that when matters are made clear, with the permission of the proper authorities, matters will be presented in the correct proportion, in their right and exact context, and that this will put an end to the rumors.  Until then, we have a national agenda.  I have priorities as Prime Minister of Israel.  I intend to uphold these priorities and continue to hold the meetings, carry out the responsibilities and do the things, that I must.

Yesterday evening, I met with US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice, as part of our unceasing effort to hold diplomatic negotiations.  Tomorrow, I will have lunch with Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen.  In the morning, I will have breakfast with Dr. Rice.  We will continue to deal with the issues on the national agenda and see to matters of state.”