Mr. Speaker,

I am pleased that the Knesset chose to hold a discussion today on this important topic. I attribute much importance to the battle against violence, and have already defined this issue as one I intend to focus on in the coming year. It is not that we will begin in the coming years. I already began. Violence is not a new phenomenon. However, in recent years we have witnessed severe escalation in the level of violence in Israeli society. This violence is alarming, and it necessitates thorough and in-depth attention. Violence has become a detrimental affliction, affecting the sense of security of each and every Israeli citizen. We must address this phenomenon, in all its manifestations, with all our strength. It is not possible to run an orderly society for long with the current level of violence. A month and a half ago, the Government of Israel held a special discussion on the battle against violence. We determined a policy of zero tolerance toward violence. Our goal is to create a situation where Israeli society as a whole does not compromise with violence, whichever form it may take. The plague of violence requires a comprehensive work plan which will combine education, prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation, rather than a collection of specific ideas. My Government is engaged in serious staff work in this field in order to build a comprehensive multi-annual plan. This work must be coordinated by a single body which will instruct and oversee all the agencies engaged in this subject. It is for this reason that I have appointed the Minister of Public Security to head a ministerial committee to advance projects for the battle against violence. He has been given extensive authority in this regard, and he keeps me updated on a weekly basis. The Government has determined that the resources and manpower of those agencies engaged in the battle against violence, primarily the Israel Police, should be reinforced. The police force is the first and immediate answer to violence. It is not the only solution, but the first and most immediate one. Therefore, in the first stage, we decided to cancel the planned reduction in police manpower. In addition, the Government established a team, headed by the Chairman of the National Security Council, which drafted a proposal to increase the resources allocated to the battle against violence by the Israel Police, the Prison Services, the State Attorney’s Office and the Ministry of Welfare. We are now exploring the options to include these conclusions in the framework of the Government’s priorities for the 2006 budget. I can tell you with certainty, in the 2006 budget this will be evident. On June 9, 2005, immediately following the cabinet meeting, the Israel Police launched the “Derech Eretz” operation – a wide-scale national operation to confront violence. In the framework of this campaign, as at July 17, 2005, 803 adults and 224 minors were arrested for felonies involving violence. The ministerial committee established a number of joint working teams to present recommendations for policy on the following subjects: combating juvenile violence; establishing a coordinating body in local authorities to provide personal security to the citizens; delegating authority to local inspectors; exploring legislative amendments; and public relations. The team for the battle against juvenile violence, headed by the Director-General of the Ministry of Education, presented to the committee three strategies to prevent juvenile delinquency: increasing the authority of the Educational Institutions Team – creating a clear definition of what is permitted and what is prohibited in the school area. Simultaneously, mobilizing a series of additional agencies in the community in the battle against violence. And, of course, increasing deterrence and punishment. The other teams have also begun working, and will present their conclusions in one of the upcoming meetings of the ministerial committee for the advancement of projects in the battle against violence. Violence is closely linked to other social afflictions. For example, a high percentage of violent felonies stem from drug and alcohol abuse. In order to find an overall solution to this problem, the Government decided to empower the National Anti-Drug Authority to deal with alcohol abuse as well. The Authority submitted to the ministerial committee a series of recommendations for taking concrete steps, several of which will be implemented, and others will be brought to the Knesset for legislation. An additional issue – an extremely serious issue – is trafficking in human beings, particularly trafficking in women for prostitution purposes. In less than 15 years, our country has become a center for trafficking in human beings. This abhorrent phenomenon stands in stark contradiction to the values of human dignity, which are part of the Jewish and democratic tradition. The Government is advancing a comprehensive Bill which imposes severe punishment on traffickers in human beings, and refers also to trafficking in women, laborers, infants and human organs. I call upon the Knesset to authorize this Bill and assist in eradicating these despicable phenomena. Recently, the Ministerial Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women decided to allow the continued operation of the shelter for victims of trafficking in human beings. Police steps are not enough to battle violence. It is a battle of the entire Israeli society, and each and every one of us must be committed to it. We, as elected public servants, must set a personal example, lead the battle against violence and denounce any form of violence. We must not legitimize violence in any form for any reason, even when there are difficult and scathing disagreements. The battle against violence is a battle of all of us, of the entire Israeli society. If we combine forces, if we act together with determination, we can prevail. Thank you. (BPI-info)