Addressing a graduation ceremony of the national war college at the Gelilot military base Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Olmert reiterated his commitment to push ahead with the war against the Hizbullah until the threat from Lebanon is lifted from Israel.
"Every day that goes by," Olmert said, "is one that weakens the cruel enemy. Every day that goes by is one in which IDF soldiers reduce the stamina of the enemy, and reduce their ability to do harm in the future." For these reasons, he said, Israel has not yet agreed to a cease-fire. "We announced that we will agree to a cease-fire when we know for certain that the conditions in the field are different from those that led to the outbreak of the war," Olmert said. "This demands determination, which is built upon the courage and the incredible stamina of the citizens of Israel."
Even though the war is far from over, Olmert said, the actions of Israel thus far have changed the face of the Middle East. The change has been particularly noticeable, he claimed, in the stance taken by Arab states against the actions of the Hizbullah.
"For many years, we lived under this threat, which created an unacceptable balance of terror with our northern neighbors. We lived with the feeling that every confrontation could expose a large part of the Israeli population to a serious threat. That threat, more than once, influenced our way of life and our decision-making. Three weeks ago, Israel decided that she refuses to live under a threatening cloud," the prime minister declared. "That very decision, the stamina of the home front and the courage of the soldiers, changed the situation. And that change will leave its mark on the Middle East for many years to come."
PM Olmert explained further: "Never again will anyone be able to threaten this people with missiles, because this people faces missiles and defeats them. Therefore, it seems to me that it can be said today - without arrogance or bombast, but calmly and with pride - that in no way can this war be measured by the number or range of missiles still being fired at us. We all know that - as a result of this daring, professional and impressive operation, which was based on intelligence and bravery - those who fired missiles will not hurry to again create the confrontation that led to this conflict, because they know what the price is."
In his speech, the prime minister analyzed the nature of modern warfare with entities like the Hizbullah and Hamas.
"The wars of recent years," he said, "are different from anything we have known thus far. In the past, the battles were waged in distant theaters of operation. The populace was cut off from them. Today, the theaters of battle have changed. They are far away, as well as at home. The fighters wear uniforms and they are also the civilians in range of the battlefield. To both of them, it must be said that the State of Israel is succeeding in this warfare and attaining unprecedented achievements."
In conclusion, Prime Minister Olmert read a letter from the father of a soldier who fell in battle in Lebanon this week. The father wrote that he gives the prime minister his full support in the decision to wage war, and asked that his letter be relayed to the IDF Chief of Staff and to the defense minister.
"Every day that goes by," Olmert said, "is one that weakens the cruel enemy. Every day that goes by is one in which IDF soldiers reduce the stamina of the enemy, and reduce their ability to do harm in the future." For these reasons, he said, Israel has not yet agreed to a cease-fire. "We announced that we will agree to a cease-fire when we know for certain that the conditions in the field are different from those that led to the outbreak of the war," Olmert said. "This demands determination, which is built upon the courage and the incredible stamina of the citizens of Israel."
Even though the war is far from over, Olmert said, the actions of Israel thus far have changed the face of the Middle East. The change has been particularly noticeable, he claimed, in the stance taken by Arab states against the actions of the Hizbullah.
"For many years, we lived under this threat, which created an unacceptable balance of terror with our northern neighbors. We lived with the feeling that every confrontation could expose a large part of the Israeli population to a serious threat. That threat, more than once, influenced our way of life and our decision-making. Three weeks ago, Israel decided that she refuses to live under a threatening cloud," the prime minister declared. "That very decision, the stamina of the home front and the courage of the soldiers, changed the situation. And that change will leave its mark on the Middle East for many years to come."
PM Olmert explained further: "Never again will anyone be able to threaten this people with missiles, because this people faces missiles and defeats them. Therefore, it seems to me that it can be said today - without arrogance or bombast, but calmly and with pride - that in no way can this war be measured by the number or range of missiles still being fired at us. We all know that - as a result of this daring, professional and impressive operation, which was based on intelligence and bravery - those who fired missiles will not hurry to again create the confrontation that led to this conflict, because they know what the price is."
In his speech, the prime minister analyzed the nature of modern warfare with entities like the Hizbullah and Hamas.
"The wars of recent years," he said, "are different from anything we have known thus far. In the past, the battles were waged in distant theaters of operation. The populace was cut off from them. Today, the theaters of battle have changed. They are far away, as well as at home. The fighters wear uniforms and they are also the civilians in range of the battlefield. To both of them, it must be said that the State of Israel is succeeding in this warfare and attaining unprecedented achievements."
In conclusion, Prime Minister Olmert read a letter from the father of a soldier who fell in battle in Lebanon this week. The father wrote that he gives the prime minister his full support in the decision to wage war, and asked that his letter be relayed to the IDF Chief of Staff and to the defense minister.