Olmert: Now is our moment of truth
MKs slam Arabs' attempt to bring down gov't--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking before the Knesset plenum Monday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert prepared his nation for war and said Israel is facing a moment of truth that will determine whether the nation lives in peace and security or as a hostage of terror in the coming decades.
"Citizens of Israel, there are moments in the life of a nation, when it is compelled to look directly into the face of reality and say: no more." ... "We are standing at a moment of national truth. Will we agree to live under the threat of the axis of evil, or will we hew our internal strength and show determination and level-headedness? ...We are not seeking war and confrontation, but when they are necessary we will not avoid them. We have the right to our freedom, and when we have to, we know how to fight for and defend that freedom."
Olmert said Israel does not desire conflict, and demonstrated a firm understanding of the dangerous Muslim Arab mindset that led to the current crises in Gaza and Lebanon.
"Israel did not ask for these confrontations, but there were those who interpreted our will for peace as a sign of weakness. Our enemies were wrong to think our restraint was a sign of weakness."
Despite that bankrupt way of thinking, Olmert insisted the terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon would be able to do little to destabilize the region if not for the sponsorship of Syria and Iran.
"The current fight is against terror organizations in Lebanon and Gaza. These organizations are subcontractors, acting under the authorization, encouragement and funding of terror supporting organizations and opponents of peace - the axis of evil that runs from Tehran to Damascus."
That position is backed by US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Olmert urged his countrymen to prepare themselves for a difficult but necessary battle against these forces of evil, and expressed an unwavering determination to see the fight through.
"It is a difficult battle. It may become even more difficult. It is a painful test, and we may have to bear more suffering. Such a battle is never easy. It is strewn with pain and suffering, sacrifice, and casualties. But, we have no intention of giving up our desire to live a normal life. We will not apologize for this desire, and we do not need anyone's approval to defend ourselves."
The prime minister thanked the Opposition, led by Binyamin Netanyahu, for its unconditional support and unity at this critical time.
"I highly value and appreciate the way the Opposition has been conducting itself in the Knesset these days. The human competition and personal rivalries are dissolved and instead our feeling of mutual responsibility arises, our sense of partnership, and primarily, our eternal love for our people and our land."
But that unity was not complete.
Earlier in the day, Israel Arab Knesset factions attempted to bring down the government with a series of no-confidence motions over the military response to Hamas and Hizb'allah aggression.
Most Knesset members chose to not even show up for the discussion, saying their absence was an act of protest against their Arab colleagues' failure to show loyalty to the state and solidarity with its citizens during a time of war.
Jnewswire.com