IZRAELI CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday, 14 October 2012):
1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:
„First, I would like to commend the IDF’s precise action in the Gaza Strip
last night<www.idf.il/1086-
stepped up its efforts to attack us and we will continue to operate against
it, aggressively and in strength, both in response and in preventive
counter-terrorism.
At the same time, there are increasing attempts to carry out cyber-attacks
on computer infrastructures in the State of Israel. Every day there are
attempts, even many attempts, to infiltrate Israel’s computer systems. It
was because of this that I established the National Cyber
Bureau<www.mfa.gov.il/
Directorate_work_plan_7-Jun-
attempts by developing what I would call a ‘digital Iron Dome’ for Israel to
defend against computer terrorism. Just as we have Iron Dome against
missiles and a security fence against infiltrators and terrorism – we will
have a similar defense against cyber-attacks. But like building the fence,
time is needed to complete it, and we are working on it nonstop.
Today we are marking the International Day of Older Persons. We will submit
to the Cabinet a proposal to promote employment among older people. I
believe that a job is the most social thing there is for people of all ages
and I call your attention to the fact that over the past four years we have
added over 300,000 jobs, an all-time record, and this was during a global
economic crisis that has not only toppled economies, but has increased
unemployment rates around the world. Even during the three month election
period, we will continue to act responsibly in order to safeguard the
economy and, most importantly, to maintain Israelis’ jobs and even add to
them.
Today we will also declare Be’er Sheva, the capital of the Negev, to be a
national priority community. We are investing very much in Be’er Sheva and
in the rapid transportation routes to it, to link it with the center of the
country and also allow it to develop. It is developing quickly with
considerable momentum. I would like to take this opportunity to note that we
have an excellent partner in Mayor Rubik Danilowitz, and I say to him, thank
you very much. Thank you for your cooperation and we will continue to work
together.
And to the students. I would like to say something to the 300,000 students
who are starting the academic year: No government has contributed more to
higher education than this one. We have invested billions in higher
education and there has been a welcome change here, also amidst the great
crisis. We have added, we have supported, we have developed, and we wish you
a successful academic year.”
Education Minister Gideon Saar discussed the start of the academic year at
Israel’s institutions of higher learning, next Sunday, 21 October, and
reviewed the Government’s achievements in higher education. Click here for
additional details.
2. Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser noted the passing of former Cabinet
Stenographer Zahavit Tam and commended her work over three decades. Prime
Minister Netanyahu and all ministers expressed their sorrow and conveyed
their condolences to her family.
3. The Cabinet authorized the Ministerial Committee on Legislation to
approve draft legislation calling for the dissolution of the 18th Knesset
and providing for early elections for the 19th Knesset to be held on 22
January
2013<www.pmo.gov.il/
141012.aspx>.
4. The Cabinet marked International Day of Older Persons. Deputy Minister
for Senior Citizens’ Affairs Leah Nass briefed ministers on the events being
held to mark the day, the latest statistics on life expectancy and on the
Ministry’s plans for further integrating senior citizens in the active
fabric of society.
The Cabinet approved Israel’s accession to the EU’s Survey of Health, Aging
and Retirement in Europe-European Research Infrastructure Consortium
(SHARE-ERIC)<www.share-
ml
here<www.pmo.gov.il/
1012.aspx> for additional details.
5. The Cabinet also approved a plan to promote the integration of the older
population in the labor market in Israel in order to realize its potential
for contributing to the national economy and improving its quality of life.
Click
here<www.pmo.gov.il/
1012.aspx> for additional details.
6. Pursuant to its authority under Article 53 of the 1965 Planning and
Building Law, the Cabinet decided to approve linking the Tziporit Industrial
Zone to the national gas network.
7. The Cabinet authorized the Ministerial Committee on Legislation to
approve draft amendments to the Capital Investment Encouragement Law, the
Land Tax Law and the Disabled Students’ Rights at Post-Secondary
Institutions Law.
8. Education Minister Saar and Higher Education Council Director Moshe
Vigdor briefed the Cabinet on the state of higher education in Israel ahead
of the start of the 2012-2013 academic year next Sunday. Click
here<www.pmo.gov.il/
1012.aspx> for additional details.
9. The Cabinet discussed extending assistance to enterprises that were
evacuated from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria and which relocated to
the Na’am Industrial Park. Click
here<www.pmo.gov.il/
1012.aspx> for additional details.
10. The Cabinet decided to declare Be’er Sheva as a national priority
community in order to further establish it as the urban center for the Negev
by developing its Old City. Click
here<www.pmo.gov.il/
1012.aspx> for additional details.
11. The Cabinet discussed assistance to senior citizens in obtaining the
full benefits due to them from the National Insurance Institute. Click
here<www.pmo.gov.il/
1012.aspx> for additional details.
