At the opening of Wednesday’s cabinet session, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered a somber and unwavering address to the nation, mourning the lives lost and reaffirming the government’s mission.
“We have a difficult day today. We lost seven of our heroic soldiers, who fell in the campaign to defeat Hamas and for the release of our hostages. Our hearts are with the families. We take them to our hearts in their unbearably difficult hour.”
Turning to his colleagues in government, Netanyahu praised their efforts in managing the ongoing war. “I would like to again commend the ministers of the Government. It is not self-evident that the State of Israel would succeed in maintaining functional stability in the face of barrages of lethal missiles. It was done by dedicated, expedited, and successful work by the Government ministries.”
He then shifted focus to the country’s rebuilding efforts, describing the approach his administration has mandated. “We are currently immersed in the task of rebuilding, of course. The directive that I have given, and I know that it will be carried out, is to render generous assistance quickly.”
Expanding on the specifics of that directive, Netanyahu said: “Generous – this means that the resources of the state will be directed, like we did during the Corona crisis. It helped and we got Israel out of that crisis first in the world.”
He continued: “Quickly – this means cutting through bureaucracy, which always makes these things difficult. It is a mission, and I know that you are dedicated to it.”
The Prime Minister went on to express his gratitude to one key figure in particular. “I would like to specially thank Defense Minister Israel Katz, who worked with me shoulder-to-shoulder in managing the campaign. This combination and the action that the Government ministries took to give us space to work, what we did together, Israel, greatly assisted, and was a critical component, in achieving the result. Thank you, Israel.”
During his remarks, Netanyahu shared a piece of writing he received from a member of the public, Naama Kadosh. “The name of the poem is ‘A People as a Lion’: ‘Sometimes we stand without words in the face of the greatness of the hour. The heart contracts and expands in the same breath. As we see everyone, lion and lioness, how the Eternal People, the Chosen People, has risen again before our eyes.'”
Concluding his address, Netanyahu pointed to the deeper meaning of recent events. “I think she says the primary thing, and we really do have a great achievement. We have a great victory in the campaign against an enemy who came to destroy us. By this victory we have removed two immediate existential threats in order to ensure the eternity of Israel.”
{Matzav.com Israel}