[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: This is not a parody.]

PM Olmert: "We Have Never Run Away From Our Homes."
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this afternoon (Sunday), 19.11.06, convened a
discussion with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Public Security Minister Avi
Dichter, Education Minister Yuli Tamir, Interior Minister Ronnie Bar-On,
Minister Yitzhak Cohen, Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mehatzri, Sderot Mayor Eli
Moyal, the chairmen of the Eshkol, Sdot Hanegev and Ashkelon Coast regional
councils, the directors-general of several Government ministries and other
senior officials on the continuation of Government assistance to Sderot and
other communities near the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Olmert made the following remarks at the start of the
meeting: "Throughout our history in this Land, during far more difficult
times, we have never run away from our homes. We will not lend a hand to
hasty actions that may be good for two or three days but which are liable to
have destructive long-term effects. We do not want to take people out of
their homes. Localized instances will be dealt with case-by-case but to
load people on buses and whisk them off to five-star hotels? In no way is
this Government policy."

Sderot Mayor Moyal said: "The national and municipal leaderships must decide
that we are not leaving this city. We are not capitulating. It is with
such a message that we must leave this meeting." He noted that Government
measures to encourage employment in Sderot led to a 4.1% drop in the number
of those seeking work in September.

IDF Home Front Command data indicate that 19 of 24 schools in Sderot and the
greater Gaza Strip area have been reinforced; the remaining schools will be
reinforced within a few days. Fifty-six kindergartens have been reinforced;
another 25 will be reinforced by the end of the month. Over 70 additional
kindergartens will be reinforced by the end of March 2007. The State has
invested NIS 285 million to date in the plan to reinforce communities in the
greater Gaza Strip area; NIS 75 of this has gone to schools.

Prime Minister Olmert directed that the plan to reinforce educational
institutions be expanded so that all homerooms in Sderot and greater Gaza
Strip area elementary schools will be reinforced. This is in order to
assist pupils in the lower grades who may have difficulty in moving to
protected areas in the event of an alert. Middle and high school students
will study in protected areas, with special provision for students studying
for matriculation exams.

An additional 29 kindergartens and daycare centers, which were not included
in the current plan, will also be reinforced. Counseling service facilities
in Sderot will also be reinforced. Prime Minister Olmert directed the
education Ministry to take such steps as are necessary to increase the
number of psychologists, as well as overall assistance to children, in
Sderot.

Prime Minister Olmert ordered that a separate discussion be held on
reinforcing structures in communities seven kilometers beyond the current
line, including Ashkelon. A separate discussion will also be held on
reinforcing residents' homes.

Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ra'anan Dinur said that local
social services would be responsible for dealing with families under their
care.