While Hizbollah, Hamas and their terrorist funding enablers such as Iran spew  hatred towards "the Zionist entity"  (they can't even squeak out the word Israel), Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke forcefully about Israel's mission and determination but with quiet regret at the loss of life on both sides.

At the outset, I offer condolences, on my behalf and on behalf of the government, the Knesset and the entire nation, to the families of the victims — both civilian and IDF.  I also send best wishes for recovery to the wounded, and a huge embrace for the families of those kidnapped and the boys themselves.

He then explained why Israel was  forced to retaliate.

Israel did not seek these confrontations.  On the contrary. We have done a lot to prevent them.  We returned to the borders of the State of Israel, recognized by the entire international community.  There were those who misconstrued our desire for peace — for us and our neighbors — as a sign of frailty.  Our enemies misinterpreted our willingness to exercise restraint as a sign of weakness.

They were wrong! Madam Speaker, Members of Knesset, The State of Israel has no territorial conflict, neither on our southern border nor on our northern one.

In these two areas, we are sitting on the recognized international border — both vis—à—vis the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip, and in Lebanon. We have no intention of interfering in their internal
affairs.  On the contrary, stability and tranquility in Lebanon, free of the rule of foreign powers, and in the Palestinian Authority, are in Israel's interest. We yearn for the day when peace will prevail between us, for the mutual benefit of our peoples from both sides of our
common border.

Addressing his fellow citizens on the current situation.  

Citizens of Israel,

There are moments in the life of a nation, when it is
compelled to look directly into the face of reality and say:
no more!

And I say to everyone: no more!

Israel will not be held hostage — not by terror gangs or by a terrorist authority or by any sovereign state. Israel did not seek these confrontations.  On the contrary. We have done a lot to prevent them.  We returned to the borders of the State of Israel, recognized by the entire international community.  There were those who misconstrued our desire for peace — for us and our neighbors — as a sign of frailty.  Our enemies misinterpreted our willingness to exercise restraint as a sign of weakness.

They were wrong!

Madam Speaker, Members of Knesset,

The State of Israel has no territorial conflict, neither on
our southern border nor on our northern one.

In these two areas, we are sitting on the recognized international border — both vis—à—vis the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip, and in Lebanon.

We have no intention of interfering in their internal affairs.  On the contrary, stability and tranquility in Lebanon, free of the rule of foreign powers, and in the Palestinian Authority, are in Israel's interest. We yearn for the day when peace will prevail between us, for the mutual benefit of our peoples from both sides of our
common border.

He closed with words from the prophet Jeremiah, so appropriate to a nation where Jews have lived for thousands of years and is based on Jewish ideals.

"Thus said Hashem: (God, ECF) a voice is heard on high, wailing, bitter weeping, Rachel weeps for her children; she refuses to be
consoled for her children, for they are gone.

Thus said Hashem: restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for there is reward for your accomplishment
— the word of Hashem — and they will return from the enemy's land.

There is hope for your future — the word of Hashem;

And your children will return to their land".

We will triumph!

 
From his words to God's ears and heart.

Ethel C. Fenig   7 18 06