(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today (Monday, 5 January) met with leaders from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, who have arrived in Israel for a solidarity visit. He briefed them on the situation in southern Israel, especially since the start of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. The Prime minister said that Israel embarked on the military operation after years in which the residents of the south suffered from relentless rocket fire and after Hamas repeatedly violated the calm.
Prime Minister Olmert also briefed his guests on the diplomatic moves being carried out in parallel with the military action and noted his many talks with world leaders, including US President George Bush, in order to bring about a halt to Hamas's rocket fire.
The Conference of Presidents leaders told Prime Minister Olmert that their visit to Ashkelon this morning sharply underscored the situation of Israeli residents and added that they support him and the IDF and would be happy to assist in any way possible.