More Quotes
“The Hamas commanders who were assassinated last night are responsible for many big terror attacks against Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers as well as the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit … This is an intelligence and operational achievement of the IDF and the Shin Bet that are working night and day for the security of the citizens of Israel, and I appreciate them for this.
We will continue to seek and hit the heads of the Hamas, at any time, in any place. We will reach anyone who tries to harm the people of Israel.
This war is long, as we can see. We need patience, determination and steadfastness … We are acting responsibly and with much thought, with one goal – to bring back safety and quiet to the citizens of Israel in general and the residents of the south specifically. (Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon in an interview, 21/08/2014)
“I will look forward to restarting peace negotiations with a Palestinian government committed to peace with Israel, to the end of terror, to fulfilling the previous obligations that we have. And I think this is part and parcel of the larger picture that I’m talking about.” (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at a press conference alongside Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon in Tel Aviv, 20/08/2014)
“We are very concerned about today’s developments, condemn the renewed rocket fire, and as we have said, Israel has a right to defend itself against such attacks. We call for an immediate end to rocket fire and hostilities and a return to cease-fire talks. We hope that the parties can reach an agreement on a sustainable cease-fire or, if necessary, agree to yet another extension of their temporary cease-fire so they can continue in conversations.” (State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf speaking at a media briefing)
“I am here because I was invited to come by the people of Bradford, who sent a clear message that George Galloway does not represent them … My sense, even from a short visit, is that the real voice of Bradford is not the voice of exclusion we hear from George Galloway but the voice of inclusion… It is an important model of how people from all faiths and backgrounds can live and work and co-operate together. That is an important model for our region as well.” (Israeli Ambassador Daniel Taub speaking to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 18/08/2014)
“We are in the midst of a combined military and diplomatic campaign. From the first day, the Israeli delegation to Cairo has worked under clear instructions: Insist on the security needs of the State of Israel. Only if there is a clear response to our security needs will we agree to reach understandings. In the past month Hamas has taken a severe military blow. We destroyed its network of tunnels that it took years to dig. We intercepted the rockets that it had massed in order to carry out thousands of deadly strikes against the Israeli home front. And we foiled the terrorist attacks that it tried to perpetrate against Israeli civilians – by land, sea and air.
If Hamas thinks that it can cover up its military loss with a diplomatic achievement, it is mistaken. If Hamas thinks that continued sporadic firing will cause us to make concessions, it is mistaken. As long as quiet is not restored, Hamas will continue to take very harsh blows. If Hamas thinks that we cannot stand up to it over time, it is mistaken.
In the stormy and unstable Middle East in which we live, it is not enough that there be more strength, determination and patience are also necessary.
Hamas knows that we are very strong but maybe it thinks that we do not have enough determination and patience, and here it is making a big mistake.
We are a strong and determined people. We have seen this in the amazing revelations of strength and resilience in the past weeks on the part of both our soldiers and our civilians. We will continue to be steadfast and united until we achieve the goals of the campaign – the restoration of quiet and security for all Israelis.” (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement to the Israeli Cabinet, 17/08/2014)
“The Prime Minister called Prime Minister Netanyahu this evening to discuss the latest ceasefire in Israel and Gaza and prospects for a longer term solution to the conflict.
The Prime Minister reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself and said he hoped that discussions in Egypt would result in a permanent ceasefire.
The Prime Minister emphasised that both sides would need to take the necessary but sometimes difficult steps to achieve that goal, and that a genuine peace deal was the only way to allow Palestinians and Israelis to live alongside one another, free from terror.” ( A statement by Number 10 Downing Street, 14/08/2014)