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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today (Monday), 4.10.04, hosted new immigrant
soldiers - the children of immigrant Israelis, who are serving in the IDF in the framework of the Scouts movement “Tzabar” program - and academics who recently immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union, in his sukka.
The Prime Minister praised the soldiers for their contribution to the State
of Israel.
Prime Minister Sharon briefed the soldiers on Iran:
“Without doubt, Iran is a very dangerous country, a country whose leaders openly call for the destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jewish People.
It is a country that is making major efforts to achieve nuclear weapons, is very involved in terrorism, along with Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah, and is even active among Israeli Arabs, via the Islamic Movement, even though most Israeli Arabs want to live quietly and be an integral part of Israeli society.
But there is a small minority, a growing minority, and it is working with the Iranians.
Israel is aware of this situation. The danger is not only regarding Israel, the danger is comprehensive, whether an extremist state like Iran will possess nuclear and ballistic weapons.
Israel itself is a strong, but small, country and it is dealing with this issue in two spheres: One - to produce the necessary defensive measures
against any attack whatsoever from Iran. Two - to maintain its deterrent ability so that they should refrain from attacking Israel.”
On the conversion issue, Prime Minister Sharon said that he had turned the issue over to the Prime Minister’s Office and is closely monitoring the process.
Prime Minister Sharon told the soldiers:
“At the moment, we are in the midst of a security campaign that is certainly not easy, an effort to prevent the firing of Kassam rockets. The IDF - including many new immigrant soldiers - is making important progress and for
this we must all be grateful.”
Prime Minister Sharon asked Immigrant Absorption Minister Tzipi Livni to examine the possibility of significantly increasing the number of young people who come to Israel in the context of the Scouts movement’s “Tzabar”
program:
“I intend to work together with Minister Livni and the Jewish Agency in order to make a major effort to increase this activity.”
Prime Minister Sharon briefed the academics who recently immigrated to Israel from the former USSR on the disengagement plan and on the government’s diplomatic, economic and social achievements in the past year.
The Prime minister praised his guests for their important contribution to both the present and future generations.
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