Address by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at Cellcom Netanya (Translation)

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

A little over a year ago I came to Netanya to celebrate 75 years since the establishment of the city.  I said then that present-day Netanya is a city which is building its future steadily and successfully.  Today’s celebration which marks Cellcom’s move to Netanya is another brick in building the city’s promising future.

This future is based on Israel’s most important natural treasure, the quality of our human resources.  Thanks to this treasure Israel has in recent years turned into one of the world’s centers of the knowledge-based industry.  A good example of that is the President of Intel’s announcement to me a few days ago regarding their decision to establish another factory in Kiryat Gat, with an investment of $4 billion. 

This decision is a declaration of faith in the stability and strength of the Israeli economy.  However, the innovative era in which we live also bears unpleasant implications.  Two days ago, the Government addressed the issue of a national contour plan which would systematically regulate the placement of cellular antennas.  It is necessary to determine the terms for the installation of antennas and the compensation for erecting them.  It is not important whether this is entirely true or not, this is how the public feels, and something should be done in this regard.  The current procedure for the placement of cellular antennas cannot continue.  That is, we need this device, but it should be installed in a manner which is more acceptable to the public.  Therefore, the Government resolved to establish a committee of Directors General headed by the Director General of the Ministry of the Environment.  In approximately one month, following the presentation of the committee’s findings, the Government will again discuss the contour plan and we will address this situation.

I would like to tell you, and I am sorry I have to mention this on this special day, however, this issue must be settled.  And I am certain that you will do so.

Cellcom is one of the giants of our advanced industries, and its move to Netanya will undoubtedly further strengthen the city.  Cellcom’s decision to move its home to Netanya was made at the height of the Palestinian terrorist campaign when Netanya was one of the central targets for suicide attacks.  Netany’s forbearance invoked solidarity throughout the country.  The Government then rallied to Netany’s assistance and I also called on the business world to come and strengthen the city.

Cellcom proved that in the business sector there are companies which see beyond narrow business considerations (and I am confident that you will not lose here either) and their wish to contribute to the city in its difficult hour constitutes a factor which is no less important than economic considerations.  I hope that this will serve as an example for other businesses in Israel.

The move was completed only two weeks after another murderous attack in Netanya.  Israel will not tolerate terror.  The instructions given to the security forces in this regard are clear.  The IDF will react with determination against terrorist activity and will take very serious action against terrorist organizations, during the Disengagement and after the pullout from Gaza, which will be implemented according to the fixed timetable.

The terrorist attacks in London and Egypt prove what a mistake it is to try to conduct dialogue with terrorist organizations.  Islamic terror is fought all over the world against those who are not willing to give in to its demands and the enlightened world must therefore join hands and fight back.

Today’s ceremony is one of many responses to those who attempt to harm us.   Faced with attempts to break our spirit, to undermine our right to our homeland, to defeat us with terror and violence, we will continue to develop our advanced industries, absorb new immigrants, invest in the education of our children, and build and advance everywhere in Israel.

I wish Cellcom and its employees continued success in their new home and to the city of Netanya, more celebrations of this kind.

Thank you.

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Special Knessett Session Speech On Violence 07-18-05

Mr. Speaker,
Members of Knesset,

I am pleased that the Knesset chose to hold a discussion today on this
important topic. I attribute much importance to the battle against violence,
and have already defined this issue as one I intend to focus on in the
coming year. It is not that we will begin in the coming years. I already
began.

Violence is not a new phenomenon. However, in recent years we have witnessed
severe escalation in the level of violence in Israeli society. This violence
is alarming, and it necessitates thorough and in-depth attention.
Violence has become a detrimental affliction, affecting the sense of
security of each and every Israeli citizen. We must address this phenomenon,
in all its manifestations, with all our strength. It is not possible to run
an orderly society for long with the current level of violence.

A month and a half ago, the Government of Israel held a special discussion
on the battle against violence. We determined a policy of zero tolerance
toward violence. Our goal is to create a situation where Israeli society as
a whole does not compromise with violence, whichever form it may take.

The plague of violence requires a comprehensive work plan which will combine
education, prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation, rather than a
collection of specific ideas. My Government is engaged in serious staff work
in this field in order to build a comprehensive multi-annual plan. This work
must be coordinated by a single body which will instruct and oversee all the
agencies engaged in this subject. It is for this reason that I have
appointed the Minister of Public Security to head a ministerial committee to
advance projects for the battle against violence. He has been given
extensive authority in this regard, and he keeps me updated on a weekly
basis.

The Government has determined that the resources and manpower of those
agencies engaged in the battle against violence, primarily the Israel
Police, should be reinforced. The police force is the first and immediate
answer to violence. It is not the only solution, but the first and most
immediate one. Therefore, in the first stage, we decided to cancel the
planned reduction in police manpower.

In addition, the Government established a team, headed by the Chairman of
the National Security Council, which drafted a proposal to increase the
resources allocated to the battle against violence by the Israel Police, the
Prison Services, the State Attorney’s Office and the Ministry of Welfare. We
are now exploring the options to include these conclusions in the framework
of the Government’s priorities for the 2006 budget. I can tell you with
certainty, in the 2006 budget this will be evident.

On June 9, 2005, immediately following the cabinet meeting, the Israel
Police launched the “Derech Eretz” operation - a wide-scale national
operation to confront violence. In the framework of this campaign, as at
July 17, 2005, 803 adults and 224 minors were arrested for felonies
involving violence.

The ministerial committee established a number of joint working teams to
present recommendations for policy on the following subjects: combating
juvenile violence; establishing a coordinating body in local authorities to
provide personal security to the citizens; delegating authority to local
inspectors; exploring legislative amendments; and public relations.

The team for the battle against juvenile violence, headed by the
Director-General of the Ministry of Education, presented to the committee
three strategies to prevent juvenile delinquency: increasing the authority
of the Educational Institutions Team - creating a clear definition of what
is permitted and what is prohibited in the school area. Simultaneously,
mobilizing a series of additional agencies in the community in the battle
against violence. And, of course, increasing deterrence and punishment.

The other teams have also begun working, and will present their conclusions
in one of the upcoming meetings of the ministerial committee for the
advancement of projects in the battle against violence.
Violence is closely linked to other social afflictions.

For example, a high percentage of violent felonies stem from drug and
alcohol abuse. In order to find an overall solution to this problem, the
Government decided to empower the National Anti-Drug Authority to deal with
alcohol abuse as well. The Authority submitted to the ministerial committee
a series of recommendations for taking concrete steps, several of which will
be implemented, and others will be brought to the Knesset for legislation.

An additional issue - an extremely serious issue - is trafficking in human
beings, particularly trafficking in women for prostitution purposes. In less
than 15 years, our country has become a center for trafficking in human
beings. This abhorrent phenomenon stands in stark contradiction to the
values of human dignity, which are part of the Jewish and democratic
tradition. The Government is advancing a comprehensive Bill which imposes
severe punishment on traffickers in human beings, and refers also to
trafficking in women, laborers, infants and human organs. I call upon the
Knesset to authorize this Bill and assist in eradicating these despicable
phenomena. Recently, the Ministerial Committee for the Advancement of the
Status of Women decided to allow the continued operation of the shelter for
victims of trafficking in human beings.

Police steps are not enough to battle violence. It is a battle of the entire
Israeli society, and each and every one of us must be committed to it. We,
as elected public servants, must set a personal example, lead the battle
against violence and denounce any form of violence. We must not legitimize
violence in any form for any reason, even when there are difficult and
scathing disagreements.

The battle against violence is a battle of all of us, of the entire Israeli
society. If we combine forces, if we act together with determination, we can
prevail.

Thank you.

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(Courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office and the GPO)