I feel for residents of Sderot, says Olmert
PM visits Berlin's Jewish museum on State visit to Germany, says he is aware of difficulties faced by western Negev communities. Defense establishment has ways to deal with everyday threats, he says; 'I believe things will change'
BERLIN - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is on an official State visit to Germany, commented Monday on the situation in Sderot, while visiting the Berlin's Jewish museum: "I can feel the pain of the residents of Sderot, just as I did the pain of those living in Kiryat Shmona and those living in Jerusalem.
"Every city has dealt with such adversity at one time or another," said the PM. "They want what we all want – to live their lives in peace, with a sense of security… this can't happen overnight, but the defense establishment has its ways of dealing with the situation. I wholeheartedly believe things will change.
"There is no need to come as far as Berlin to understand that the Israeli people will have no future if they do not persevere," a visibly emotional Olmert added. "Peace can only be achieved by having hope and faith in the future – that is what we are fighting for."
Olmert is scheduled to meet with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel later Monday, for a small dinner at Meseberg Palace, the formal chancellor's residents, north of Berlin.
The two are expected to discuss the situation in Gaza, the Iranian nuclear program and according to unconfirmed reports – the matter of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
