PM Netanyahu Opens the School Year in the South
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Shai Piron, this
morning (Monday, 1 September 2014), opened the 2014-2015 school year by
meeting with first and second grade pupils at the New Amit Torani School in
Sderot and the Mevoim School in the Merhavim Regional Council area.

At the New Amit Torani School in Sderot, Prime Minister Netanyahu told the
pupils: "Be good friends with each other and be hungry for knowledge. This
is what distinguishes us and gives our people special strength. We are the
People of the Book and today the people of the tablet as well. We hold on to
our heritage and also the future. Study the Bible, our heritage, math,
computers and science. Our heritage and the future go hand in hand. Be
hungry for knowledge on behalf of the People of Israel, the State of Israel,
the Land of Israel, yourselves and your families. We will take care to give
you knowledge and security."

Education Minister Piron added: "Today, as you start first grade, I would
like to give you an assignment, not homework. Look around. Think about who
has fewer friends, look around and ask who made fewer trips over the summer.
This is an assignment for each of you. If during the year a child does not
come to school because he is sick, don't forget to call him. Treat your
teachers with respect. When you talk to each other in the yard, don't forget
to talk nicely. Our greatest test is not how we behave in wartime but how we
behave in times of peace. Our true test is the test of morality, identity
and treating each other properly."

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi told Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I do not think that
Sderot has ever had so many visits by a prime minister in such a short time.
Mr. Prime Minister, we rely on you and very much appreciate the weight of
the responsibility that you took upon yourself in leading this operation
along with the Defense Minister and the Chief-of-Staff. We won a great
military victory and a great civilian victory. We thank you for your
partnership with Sderot and the close attention which proves that Sderot,
the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip and the State of Israel are important."

At the Mevoim School in the Merhavim Regional Council area, Prime Minister
Netanyahu told pupils: "I know that you did not have as nice a summer as you
had planned. I hope that during the upcoming holidays you will have time to
relax, play and be with your families and friends. Be friends with each
other. Be good children for your parents and be excellent pupils. Have a
safe and successful year. Together we will continue the momentum of
development because this is the strongest response to our enemies. They
thought that they could drive us out of here. We are building up, and will
build up, this country and this part of it."

Merchavim Regional Council Chairman Shai Hajaj told Prime Minister
Netanyahu: "On behalf of the residents of Merchavim, I would like to thank
you, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and your ministers for the determination and
the prudence that you showed during Operation Protective Edge. His was a
difficult campaign, militarily and diplomatically, and you ran it, along
with the Defense Minister and the Chief-of-Staff, with great wisdom,
sensitivity and vigor. The first day of the school year is a holiday for us
and symbolizes the return to routine. With us here today are the Education
Minister and the Education Ministry District Director; this is the time to
commend them for the productive cooperation and the desire to help open the
school year. The poet Yehuda Amichai wrote: 'It's sad to be the Mayor of
Jerusalem. It is terrible. How can any man be the mayor of a city like that?
What can he do with her? He will build, and build, and build.' And if that
is how it is for the Mayor of Jerusalem, what will the prime minister of the
entire State of Israel do? He will build, and build and build. We rely on
you Mr. Prime Minister. Here as well you must show leadership and
determination and the wisdom that you have shown in security matters. We are
excited to host you here in Merhavim on our festive day. May we all have a
quiet, productive and meaningful school year."