|
Cabinet Meeting |
|
| 16/02/2003 |
1. Ministers were briefed on Israel's preparations ahead of the expected
war with Iraq by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Defense Ministry Director
General Amos Yaron, Home Front commander Maj. Gen. Yossef Mishlav and
Israeli Police Chief Shlomo Aharoniski. The briefings focused on
cooperation between the various organizations responsible for defense of
the home front and for civilians, and described the means available to
the civil and military authorities to defend the State.
Defense Minister Mofaz stated that the US war with Iraq is not Israel's
battle, and that Israel has no intention of being involved in it. In
addition it is important to refute all unfounded rumors, and to take
care not to create panic and fear among the civilian population.
Defense Minister Mofaz also spoke about the war against Palestinian
terrorism and gave details of the number of attacks the IDF has recently
thwarted. The Defense Minister emphasized that the Palestinian terror
organizations are still involved in intensive efforts to perpetrate
attacks in Israel.
Defense Minister Mofaz reported on the attack against a tank near Dugit
where four soldiers were killed.
Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed ministers on diplomatic
matters following Belgium's Supreme Court's decision to allow IDF
officers and the Prime Minister to be taken to court, and gave details
of the steps taken by his office on this matter.
2. Following the Belgium Supreme Court's decision on 12.2.2003, the
government agreed to appoint a committee of MKs to be responsible for
issues concerning the Diaspora, for immigration and absorption, to
examine the repercussions of this ruling on European Jewry, and, in
cooperation with the Jewish Agency, to encourage Jewish immigration from
those countries to Israel.
3. The cabinet discussed various issues relating to the immigration of
the remainder of Ethiopia's Jews to Israel, and agreed that steps would
be taken to ensure that they would be brought to Israel as quickly as
possible.
|
|