CABINET COMMUNIQUE

Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 15.4.07:

1. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed his meeting today with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Abu Mazen. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Amir Peretz will also attend the meeting.

Today's will be the first in a series of meetings between the PA Chairman and the Prime Minister that will be held according to circumstances. The intention is that they will be held every two weeks. The Prime Minister said that in the frame work of today's meeting, he and the PA Chairman would discuss a series of issues, including those related to the PA's struggle against terrorism and the PA Chairman's oft-repeated commitment to release Gilad Shalit( http://tinyurl.com/3cs2at ).

The issue of political horizons related to the possibility of promoting a solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians will also be raised.

Prime Minister Olmert emphasized he had already declared several months ago that there were positive aspects to the Saudi initiative and noted that following the recent Arab League meeting in Riyadh( http://tinyurl.com/2ek8xw ) he had reiterated that Israel is prepared to hold discussions with any group of Arab countries on their and Israel's ideas and initiatives.

2. Prime Minister Olmert referred to Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes Remembrance Day ( http://tinyurl.com/yvjcrz ) events that are due to begin this evening. He said that the memory of the Holocaust will be at the top of Israel's agenda in the coming days and added that the concern with remembering is not detached from concern for the survivors who live among us.

Behind the awful collective memory live survivors who carry in their hearts harrowing personal memories and pain. It is the responsibility ofthe state to see to it that those who survived the Holocaust live in the State of Israel with the proper respect.

3. The Cabinet adopted the interministerial report on efficiency in Government purchases. The Cabinet also directed Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson to coordinate with the Justice Ministry and submit amendments tothe 1992 Obligatory Tenders Law to the Socio-Economic Cabinet for approval. See http://tinyurl.com/yuc8st for further details.

4. The Cabinet decided that Defense Minister Peretz would have overall responsibility for dealing with the home front in various emergencysituations (wars, natural disasters, etc.). This is in addition to those areas for which he is already responsible by law and in accordance with previous Cabinet decisions. Defense Minister Peretz will consult with the various ministries and other relevant bodies and will oversee the necessary staff work to detail the actions necessary to receive the aforementioned responsibility. He will submit his recommendations to the Cabinet within 45 days. See http://tinyurl.com/yuc8st for further details.

5. The Cabinet instructed the Construction and Housing Ministry - in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, the Vice Premier's Office and all other relevant bodies - to carry out professional staff work regarding the decision to establish a religious community near the intersection of highways #80 and #31. See http://tinyurl.com/yuc8st for further details.

6. The Cabinet decided to establish an interministerial committee to formulate recommendations on dealing with unsound structures. See http://tinyurl.com/yuc8st for further details.

7. Pursuant to the 1959 Civil Service Law, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr. Shaul Horev as the Director-General of the Atomic Energy Commission effective 1.9.07 ( www.iaec.gov.il/pages_e/english.asp )

IDF Awards Citations to NCOs

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi awarded citations for excellence to non-commissioned officers from various units who excelled in their jobs over the course of the previous year.

The ceremony was held at Mahane Dayan and was attended by officers from the General Staff, senior officers, and families of the non-commissioned officers.

"They who chose service in the IDF as a way of life, as a home, as a mission and know how to execute it in a unique way, voluntarily, taking responsibility while not expecting a prize," Lieutenant General Ashkenazi said of the NCOs. "Rather, they were motivated by a true belief in the importance of their deeds."

"Each and every one of you brought added value to their job and evolved into an asset for their unit," the Chief of Staff told the NCOs seated in the audience. "In all of you lies a combination of professional ability, human quality, and a willingness to contribute each of these traits for the sake of the unit. I have no doubt that your excellence stems from education and support from home. On behalf of all my colleagues this evening, I would like to express my great appreciation to the relatives of those NCOs who are being recognized for their excellence. You have a part in their being awarded tonight."

In his remarks, the chief of staff also addressed the army's implementation of recommended changes in the wake of the war against Hezbollah.

"We are currently working hard in putting into effect the lessons from the war and are preparing the IDF's readiness and operational capability throughout all its units, whether in headquarters or in the field, in order to provide the optimal response to all threats while continuing to effectively combat terrorism," Lieutenant General Ashkenazi said. "We must ensure the continued existence of a strong, fighting, capable, victorious army in order to earn the nation's trust."

"Concurrently, we must remember and remind others of the army's achievements in the war, of the impressive ability of IDF fighters, of the commanders and soldiers who stood out and demonstrated courage and initiative, both on the front and also on the home front," Lieutenant General Ashkenazi said. "Inquiries into the war reveal wonderful stories of comeradeship under fire, determination, sacrifice, and faith. They reveal many cases of initiative, heroism, leadership, and resourcefulness at great risk to their well-being."

One of the more notable recipients, due to his young age, is Major Guy Algazi, who this year celebrated 10 years of military service. Seven of the 10 years Major Algazi spent in the standing army as a criminal investigator and commander of a Military Police unit.

"It's a lot of fun seeing your work recognized as an important contribution, far beyond the personal satisfaction I derive from work every day," Major Algazi said. "You always want to do officers' tasks and to prove that you are capable of more than people think, and there are many examples of that. Many non-commissioned officers prove that we too can be professionals, academics, and go above and beyond the requirements of the job."

Source & Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson