Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:

“Before the flotilla set sail for Gaza, we discussed – in various forums – the continuation of our policy toward the Gaza Strip.  These discussions continued last week, inter alia, in the meetings I held on the subject with Quartet envoy Tony Blair.

“The principle guiding our policy is clear – to prevent the entry of war materiel from entering Gaza and to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and non-contraband goods into the Gaza Strip.

“The aforesaid discussions, which will continue this week, are designed to ensure that this principle is effectively applied.”

“2. Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer briefed ministers on the visit of an Israeli delegation, led by President Shimon Peres, to South Korea last week.

“Minister Ben-Eliezer made it clear that the purposed of the visit was to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries, promote a free trade agreement and meet with leading Government and business sector officials.

He said that the visit was very effective, noted that the Israeli delegation was received warmly and added that new horizons had been opened in bilateral economic ties.

“3. The Cabinet appointed an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by Prime Minister’s Office Director-General Eyal Gabbai to evaluate the report of the State Commission of Inquiry on the Water Economy and submit its recommendations to the Cabinet within 90 days.

“4. Pursuant to Article 12a of the 1990 Second Authority for Television and Radio Law, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Second Authority Council member Dr. Ilan Avishar as the Council’s Acting Chairman for three months.

“5. The Cabinet approved the draft 2010 Communications Law and authorized the Ministerial Committee on Legislation to approve the final version and submit it to the Knesset forthwith”.

(Cabinet media advisor – Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)