Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met this afternoon  with a United Jewish Communities-Federations of North America  delegation that has come to express solidarity with Israeli society.  He thanked the delegates for coming to Israel and added that their visit was very important and brave.

Prime Minister Olmert said: "We are fighting for ourselves with great courage.  We appreciate the fact that you have come to be with us especially during this different kind of war.  On the northern front, the terrorists are fighting against innocent civilians and are firing missiles at homes and population centers.  They are not fighting against those who can fight back but against civilians.  We are doing our utmost so that innocent civilians will not be hurt."

The UJC delegates expressed their support for Israel and praised the strong resolve of the Israeli home front in this confrontation.

Prime Minister Olmert added: "This is the war of the Israeli people and of Israeli society.  This is a complex confrontation because we are not fighting against a regular army but against small groups that are firing missiles at population centers and hiding throughout Lebanon.  Every day the IDF destroys more and more launchers; this is a long process.  Israel cannot finish this with the same threat that it faced at the outset.  We will not stop until there is a change, despite the difficulty and the pain we face.  Your expression of solidarity is very important to the State of Israel.  The Jewish and human warmth that you are providing to the population reinforces the important message that we are all responsible for each other.  Thank you for being part of us."