In a demonstration of solidarity with residents of the south who in recent days have been traumatized by a barrage of rockets, President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday visited the situation room of the Eshkol Regional Council. He was greeted by council chairman Gadi Yarkoni who together with regional security officers briefed him on the latest developments. Throughout the visit, there were constant red alerts. “We are at the start of a week of acute tension, and in the midst of a very long period, a period in which for far too long, has made you – residents of the south – targets of terror organizations along the Gaza strip.” Rivlin lauded the resilience of the residents, saying that it was not a trivial thing, nor was it something to be taken for granted. “There is proud Zionist settlement here, which is determined not to give in and to continue the battle for life here,” he declared. Rivlin emphasized how imperative it is for residents to heed the instructions that are given to them by Home Front Command for their own safety and security. “Obeying Home Front instructions can save your lives and give the army the leeway it needs to breathe and to carry out its operations,” he said. As he completed the visit, Rivlin said that he wanted to thank each and every resident of the south for their pioneering spirit and for the inspiration they give to the nation as a whole under such trying circumstances. Rivlin pledged that Israel would not allow the assailants to win, and would not rest until quiet is restored to the region. He was confident that Israel's neighbors would eventually learn to understand that it is better to live in peace with Israel than to wage war. “You have no idea how much strength the rest of the nation derives from your attitude and the example you have set,” he said. Tamir Idan, head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council told Rivlin that everyone felt strengthened by the fact that he arrived in the region so soon after the rocket attacks began. Despite the rockets, he said, the (Israel side of) the Gaza Strip is flourishing, and the mission now is not to lose what has been achieved, and not to harm the general stability. “We intend to continue and to build to expand existing settlements and to construct new settlements.” Rivlin did not immediately return to Jerusalem, but went on to meet the divisional and brigade commanders of the IDF Gaza Division who updated him on all aspects of the security situation in the area.
