ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF
ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS
PM Netanyahu Opens the 2015-2016 School Year at Primary Schools in Ashdod and Ashkelon
Source: PMO, 9-1-15
Photo by Avi Ohayon, GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today opened the 2015-2016 school year at the Amirim primary school in Ashdod, where he was welcomed by the children with flags and songs, and at the Ramat Keramim primary school in Ashkelon. He was accompanied in Ashdod by Ashdod Mayor Dr. Yehiel Lasri and Education Ministry Southern District Director Amira Chaim, and in Ashkelon by Education Minister Naftali Bennett.
In Ashkelon, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “The first lesson in first grade is ‘Shalom first grade’ with the emphasis on shalom [peace].’ We educate our children for peace. A few kilometers from here, Hamas teaches is children the opposite of peace and it tries, from time to time, to fire at us, at you. And our policy is clear – zero restraint, zero let-up, zero tolerance for terrorism. We respond to every firing at our territory, whether by open or concealed action, and we also foil terrorism like we did yesterday in Jenin. I wish a quick recovery to the soldier who was wounded. We want peace but we first of all we must watch over our land, our children, we must watch over you. This is our first obligation – the security of our children.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu added: “There are two major things here – a great momentum of construction in Ashkelon and momentum in our education system. In education, we want you to study, expand your knowledge, know how to read and write, read the Tanakh and also write new things. You should know mathematics and sciences. I know that you already know how to use computers but you should use them not just to play games. You should be able to use them to connect to the entire world, to know what you want to know and to excel. Don’t just excel, be Zionists too. We have just the army and this land and we need to watch over it. I would like to wish all of you in first grade and up in his growing and developing school that you should study and succeed and above all be friends with each other. And remember, each one of you is different. Respect each other and love one another because we love you very much. May you have much success.”
Together With Israel יחד עם ישראל 