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PM Netanyahu: Operation Pillar of Defense - Ceasefire21 Nov 2012
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The State of Israel.In a phone call I had this evening with President Obama, I agreed with him that we should give the ceasefire a chance in order to enable a lull in the situation and allow for the citizens of Israel to return to routine. Egyptian FM Mohamed Kamel Amr in joint news conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a ceasefire to come into effect at 9 pm on Tuesday, November 21.PM Netanyahu spoke with US President Barack Obama and acceded to his recommendation to give the Egyptian ceasefire proposal a chance and thereby give an opportunity to stabilize and calm the situation before there is a need to use greater force. The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation to the President for his support of Israel during the operation and for his contribution to the Iron Dome system. The Prime Minister reiterated that Israel would take all necessary steps to defend its citizens.
PM Netanyahu's Statement at November 21 Press Conference with Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense - Operation Pillar of Defense - Ceasefire"Citizens of Israel,Eight days ago, Israel embarked on operation Pillar of Defense. The Government decided to launch the operation after the frequency of the terror attacks originating from Gaza increased over the last few months. I announced that we would respond forcibly to these attacks when we see fit. I said that we would exact a heavy price from the terror organizations.The terror organizations assumed that we would avoid offensive action against them; they were wrong. We hit their senior commanders, we destroyed thousands of rockets which were aimed towards the South and most of those aimed towards central Israel, and we crushed Hamas' control facilities. I must say that we did this with the strong support of the leading authorities of the international community.In particular, I wish to thank President Obama for his resolute support for Israel's actions, for this operation and for Israel's right to defend itself. I also thank him for supporting the Iron Dome systems. I thank Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and express my gratitude to the Egyptians for their efforts in achieving this ceasefire.In a phone call I had this evening with President Obama, I agreed with him that we should give the cease-fire a chance in order to enable a lull in the situation and allow for the citizens of Israel to return to routine. However, Israel obviously cannot sit idly while our enemy reinforces itself with weapons of terror. Therefore we decided, President Obama and myself, that the United States and Israel would work together to fight the smuggling of weapons to the terror organizations - weapons, virtually all of which come from Iran.From the day the State of Israel was established, it has had to deal with complex challenges in the Middle East, and we can all see that these challenges have become even more complex in the last few years. Under these conditions we are required to navigate this ship, the State of Israel, wisely and responsibly while taking into account all considerations - military and political alike. This is what a responsible government does, and it is what we did here: we made use of our military might while applying political considerations.Now, I realize that there are citizens who expect a harsher military action and we may very well need to do that. But at present, the right thing for the State of Israel is to exhaust this possibility of reaching a long-term ceasefire. As Prime Minister, I have the responsibility, and it is the highest responsibility, to make the right steps to ensure our security. That is what I have done and it is what I will continue to do.During the last week, Israel has lost several victims. On behalf of the entire population, I send condolences to the families, and wish the wounded a speedy recovery.I would like to thank my colleagues, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman. We worked together as a team, in full agreement. I also thank the Nine-Member Ministerial Forum, the Cabinet and the Government, for working - each in its field of responsibility - for the citizens of Israel. I also appreciate the factions of the Opposition and the factions in Knesset for standing with us and proclaiming their support.I thank the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, the Chief of Shin Bet, Yoram Cohen, the Director of the Mossad, Tamir Pardo, and all of their people for their exceptional efforts in reaching our accomplishments in Pillar of Defense. On behalf of the people of Israel, I thank the IDF commanders and soldiers, the pilots, the Iron Dome operators and developers, the members of the intelligence services, all the members of the security services and to the reservists, who left their families and immediately signed up for duty.I appreciate the mayors and heads of regional councils for displaying leadership and level-headedness at the Home Front, and above all - I salute you, the citizens of Israel. We have a strong army; we have a strong people. I am proud to by your Prime Minister."
Gaza CeasefireBy Doug MillsRCN America NetworkCAIRO-A ceasfire to begin at 9 PM Cairo time was announced this afternoon by, Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr. "A press release, under the auspices of His Excellency President Mohamed Morsi and stemming from Egypt’s historic responsibility towards the Palestinian cause and Egypt’s keenness to stop the bloodshed and preserving the stability of the conditions and security in the region, Egypt has exerted efforts and conducted intensive discussions since the renewed outbreak of hostilities in the Gaza Strip with all parties: the Palestinian leadership, the various resistance factions, the Israeli side, and the international community, most notably the United States of America.These efforts and communications managed to reach an agreement to a ceasefire and the return of calm and halt of the violence and the bloodshed that was witnessed recently.The ceasefire is set to start at 9 p.m. Cairo time today, Wednesday, 21st of November 2012. Egypt affirms its commitment to the Palestinian cause and the need to achieve a comprehensive and just resolution. The Government of Egypt will continue its efforts to achieve this noble objective through ongoing attempts to end the divisions between the various Palestinian factions and to assist them in achieving Palestinian national unity on the basis of genuine Palestinian values and interests.Egypt appreciates the role of the Arab League, the valuable contributions of Turkey and Qatar, and those of the Secretary General of the United Nations to support the efforts of the Government of Egypt to end the violence. At the same time, Egypt calls upon the international community to be engaged in monitoring the implementation of the Egyptian-brokered agreement and to ensure all parties adhere to these agreements. The agreement will be distributed to you after this conference."Secretary of state Hillery Clinton said of this new ceasefire, "I want to thank President Morsi for his personal leadership to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and end the violence. This is a critical moment for the region. Egypt’s new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone of regional stability and peace. The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire in Gaza. For it to hold, the rocket attacks must end, a broader calm return.The people of this region deserve the chance to live free from fear and violence, and today’s agreement is a step in the right direction that we should build on. Now we have to focus on reaching a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity, and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike. President Morsi and I discussed how the United States and Egypt can work together to support the next steps in that process. In the days ahead, the United States will work with partners across the region to consolidate this progress, improve conditions for the people of Gaza, and provide security for the people of Israel. Ultimately, every step must move us toward a comprehensive peace for all the people of the region.As I discussed today with President Morsi, as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, there is no substitute for a just and lasting peace. Now that there is a ceasefire, I am looking forward to working with the Foreign Minister and others to move this process. Thank you very much, Foreign Minister."
Egyptian FM Mohamed Kamel Amr in joint news conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announces ceasefire to come into effect at 9 pm on Tuesday, November 21.PM Netanyahu spoke with US President Barack Obama and acceded to his recommendation to give the Egyptian ceasefire proposal a chance and thereby give an opportunity to stabilize and calm the situation before there is a need to use greater force. The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation to the President for his support of Israel during the operation and for his contribution to the Iron Dome system. The Prime Minister reiterated that Israel would take all necessary steps to defend its citizens.
Israel under fire - November 2012FROM:Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The State of Israel19 Nov 2012More than 1000 rockets have been fired at Israel since Saturday (10 Nov), over 800 since the start of Operation Pillar of Defense (14 Nov), landing mostly in the south, killing three people in Kiryat Malachi.Following the launch of Israel's operation Pillar of Defense against terrorist targets in Gaza, rocket fire from Gaza resumed on Wednesday evening (14 Nov), with a salvo of over 50 Grad rockets fired towards Israel's southern cities.More than 1000 rockets have been fired at Israel since Saturday (10 Nov), over 800 since the start of Operation Pillar of Defense (14 Nov), landing mostly in the south, killing three people in Kiryat Malachi. The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system intercepted over 300 rockets, preventing them from striking populated areas in Israel.A Grad rocket exploded outside an elementary school in Ashkelon (19 Nov) - none hurt as all schools within a 40-kilometer radius of Gaza are currently closed. Ben Gurion University of the Negev, with 15,000 students, also remains closed.At least seven people were seriously injured on Sunday (Nov 18) in direct hits on a home in Ashkelon and a car in Ofakim.Israeli casualties: 3 killed, 6 seriously wounded, 8 in moderate condition and 119 lightly injured (including 7 soldiers).
