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(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday, 29 November 2009:
1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the significance of November 29:
"Today we mark the 29th of November, on which the UN approved General Assembly Resolution 181 to establish the Jewish State. The basis of a Jewish State is, first of all, a Jewish army, the IDF, and it is founded on the recruitment and volunteerism of our youth. This year there has been a welcome increase in the level of recruits, in number, including those going to combat units – a 7% increase. All those who have eulogized and already discounted the enlisting and fighting spirit of our youth are invited to visit the main induction center. There, you will be convinced that there are youth who are motivated, strong and able, who enlist and, when necessary, both fight and support those who do. There is a welcome change."
2. Prime Minister Netanyahu, on his own behalf and that of the Government, greeted Israel's Muslim citizens on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
3. Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Maj.Gen. Avi Zamir, Head of IDF Personnel Directorate, briefed ministers on the state of the IDF concerning enlistment for compulsory service in 2009. The Defense Minister noted that the November 2009 enlistment was marked by a high percentage of those wishing to serve in field units.
4. The Cabinet discussed Minister Meshullam Nahari's motion against the decision by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation to approve a draft amendment to the 2009 Security Service Law regarding exemptions from service obtained through fraud.
5. The Cabinet decided to approve various draft amendments to the 2009 Broadcasting Authority Law and authorized the Ministerial Committee on Legislation to produce a final version.
6. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that he and a ministerial delegation would leave Monday, 30 November, on a one-day visit to Germany. The Prime Minister said, "These visits were decided upon during the previous Government by the Chancellor Angela Merkel who proposed that the Israeli Government and the German Government meet each year. The previous visit was held here in Israel, the current visit will be in Berlin. We will discuss a number of issues, each minister in his own sphere.
During this visit, two subjects will top our agenda. The first is diplomatic-security, which has important ramifications regarding Israel's defensive capabilities. Germany is a true partner in the great efforts to both advance peace and strengthen security. The second subject is renewable energy, replacing petroleum and protecting the environment." [Note: the visit has been postponed.]
7. Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer briefed ministers on the WATEC Israel 2009 conference and on his recent visit to Turkey. Regarding the latter, the Minister said that he had utilized his economic meetings to upgrade Israel's diplomatic channels with Turkey as well. He met with senior Turkish government officials, including President Abdullah Gul, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Defense Minister Mehmet Vecdi Gonul. He also met with Jewish community leaders and members of the Turkish media, who showed great interest in his visit. |
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