US President George Bush’s visit to Israel
1. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed US President George Bush’s visit to
Israel: “This Wednesday, US President George Bush will arrive on his first
visit as President. This is an important visit, during which we will have
the opportunity to discuss a series issues regarding the future and security
of Israel. We expect in-depth discussions on – inter alia – the
continuation of the negotiations with the Palestinians. Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni will brief President Bush on the negotiations and their various
stages and Defense Minister Ehud Barak will brief him on the security
difficulties that we are encountering both in the Gaza Strip
() and in Judea and Samaria
(). He will also briefed on the security
measures that must continue in order to assure the security of Israel’s
citizens. The Iranian nuclear issue () –
including the steps that must continue to be taken in order to prevent this
process – will certainly be on the agenda. US President Bush holds to a
policy, the foundation of which is a complete obligation to the security of
Israel; he declares this time and again. He is a great friend of Israel who
absolutely understands our security needs and is interested in leading – in
full partnership with us – steps designed to assure peace and security for
Israel’s citizens. I await the President’s visit and believe that it will
be successful and fruitful.”
2. Prime Minister Olmert also said: “Last Thursday, rockets with increased
range were fired at Ashkelon. Luckily, there were no casualties or damage.
Of course, Israel has responded, and will respond, to this escalation. We
do so in a considered and precise manner, with minimum casualties on our
side, and in the most painful place for the terrorist organizations. After
successful strikes against Islamic Jihad (), we
will continue with intensive in the Gaza Strip in order to achieve
quiet. At the same time, we will continue to invest in Sderot and the
communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip in order to strengthen the residents’
fortitude.”
3. Defense Minister Barak briefed ministers on current security issues,
including the actions of the Palestinian terrorist organizations and the
responses of the security forces.
4. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shalom Simhon briefed
ministers on the outbreak of bird flu in Binyamina. See
for further details.
5. Senior Jewish People Policy Planning Institute directors presented
ministers with the JPPPI’s 2007 Annual Assessment. See
for further
details.
6. The Cabinet decided to extend South Lebanon Army veterans’ current
eligibility for rent subsidies, until 31.3.08.
The Director of the Prime Minister’s Office Division for Coordination,
Follow-up and Control () heads the committee for
dealing with former SLA veterans in Israel. The committee will prepare a
comprehensive plan for former SLA veterans in Israel.
See for further details.
7. The Cabinet approved the Ministerial Committee on Reserve Duty’s 30.12.07
decision regarding a series of benefits for reservists.
8. The Cabinet discussed the disbursement of support payments to eligible
Holocaust survivors. See and
for further details.
9. The Cabi9net discussed increasing local councils’ independent sources of
income. See for further details.
10. Pursuant to the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Cabinet
extended Frieda Yisraeli’s appointment as Acting Director of the Finance
Ministry State Revenue Division until 17.3.08 or until the end of the
suspension of Director Yehoshua Vita, whichever comes first. See
for further details.
11. The Cabinet approved the appointment of four new members to the
Anti-Drug Authority () Council.
12. Pursuant to the 1988 Anti-Drug Authority Law, the Cabinet extended Haim
Messing’s term as Authority Director-General until 29.2.08.
13. In light of the continuation of hostile activities based in the Gaza
Strip and in continuation of its 27.11.06 decision
(), the Cabinet approved an assistance plan for
Sderot and the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip for 2008. NIS 23.375
will be allocated for health, education and other forms of assistance. This
will be added to previous Government plans, the implementation of which has
yet to be concluded. See for further details.
14. Pursuant to Article 31 of Basic Law: The Government
(), the Cabinet established a new Ministry of
Religious Services and appointed Minister Yitzhak Cohen as Religious
Services Minister. See for further details.
15. The Cabinet discussed extending the temporary housing eligibility of
families who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria, who
are eligible to join a relocation agreement according to Article 85 of the
Disengagement Plan Implementation Law. See for
further details.
16. The Cabinet approved the draft 2008 Electricity Law and authorized the
Ministerial Committee on Legislation and Law Enforcement to approve the
final version, which will be submitted to the Knesset.
BreuerPress
Israel: “This Wednesday, US President George Bush will arrive on his first
visit as President. This is an important visit, during which we will have
the opportunity to discuss a series issues regarding the future and security
of Israel. We expect in-depth discussions on – inter alia – the
continuation of the negotiations with the Palestinians. Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni will brief President Bush on the negotiations and their various
stages and Defense Minister Ehud Barak will brief him on the security
difficulties that we are encountering both in the Gaza Strip
(
(
measures that must continue in order to assure the security of Israel’s
citizens. The Iranian nuclear issue (
including the steps that must continue to be taken in order to prevent this
process – will certainly be on the agenda. US President Bush holds to a
policy, the foundation of which is a complete obligation to the security of
Israel; he declares this time and again. He is a great friend of Israel who
absolutely understands our security needs and is interested in leading – in
full partnership with us – steps designed to assure peace and security for
Israel’s citizens. I await the President’s visit and believe that it will
be successful and fruitful.”
2. Prime Minister Olmert also said: “Last Thursday, rockets with increased
range were fired at Ashkelon. Luckily, there were no casualties or damage.
Of course, Israel has responded, and will respond, to this escalation. We
do so in a considered and precise manner, with minimum casualties on our
side, and in the most painful place for the terrorist organizations. After
successful strikes against Islamic Jihad (
will continue with intensive in the Gaza Strip in order to achieve
quiet. At the same time, we will continue to invest in Sderot and the
communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip in order to strengthen the residents’
fortitude.”
3. Defense Minister Barak briefed ministers on current security issues,
including the actions of the Palestinian terrorist organizations and the
responses of the security forces.
4. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shalom Simhon briefed
ministers on the outbreak of bird flu in Binyamina. See
5. Senior Jewish People Policy Planning Institute directors presented
ministers with the JPPPI’s 2007 Annual Assessment. See
details.
6. The Cabinet decided to extend South Lebanon Army veterans’ current
eligibility for rent subsidies, until 31.3.08.
The Director of the Prime Minister’s Office Division for Coordination,
Follow-up and Control (
dealing with former SLA veterans in Israel. The committee will prepare a
comprehensive plan for former SLA veterans in Israel.
See
7. The Cabinet approved the Ministerial Committee on Reserve Duty’s 30.12.07
decision regarding a series of benefits for reservists.
8. The Cabinet discussed the disbursement of support payments to eligible
Holocaust survivors. See
9. The Cabi9net discussed increasing local councils’ independent sources of
income. See
10. Pursuant to the 1959 Civil Service Law (Appointments), the Cabinet
extended Frieda Yisraeli’s appointment as Acting Director of the Finance
Ministry State Revenue Division until 17.3.08 or until the end of the
suspension of Director Yehoshua Vita, whichever comes first. See
11. The Cabinet approved the appointment of four new members to the
Anti-Drug Authority (
12. Pursuant to the 1988 Anti-Drug Authority Law, the Cabinet extended Haim
Messing’s term as Authority Director-General until 29.2.08.
13. In light of the continuation of hostile activities based in the Gaza
Strip and in continuation of its 27.11.06 decision
(
Sderot and the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip for 2008. NIS 23.375
will be allocated for health, education and other forms of assistance. This
will be added to previous Government plans, the implementation of which has
yet to be concluded. See
14. Pursuant to Article 31 of Basic Law: The Government
(
Religious Services and appointed Minister Yitzhak Cohen as Religious
Services Minister. See
15. The Cabinet discussed extending the temporary housing eligibility of
families who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria, who
are eligible to join a relocation agreement according to Article 85 of the
Disengagement Plan Implementation Law. See
further details.
16. The Cabinet approved the draft 2008 Electricity Law and authorized the
Ministerial Committee on Legislation and Law Enforcement to approve the
final version, which will be submitted to the Knesset.
BreuerPress
