Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, telling bereaved families of terror victims Monday that their feelings would be taken into account in seeking the release of captured soldiers, pledged not to repeat "mistakes made in the past," when terrorists freed in exchange deals again engaged in deadly attacks on Israelis.

Israel came to a standstill for two minutes earlier in the morning, as sirens wailed and Israelis stood at attention to honor the dead. Official ceremonies were held in 43 military cemeteries throughout the country, attended by government ministers, MKs, officers and bereaved families.

Addressing the memorial service for victims of terror, Olmert said that "in the range of heavy and agonizing considerations involved, there is, of course, an honorable place for consideration of your feelings and those of the bereaved families, the victims of acts of hatred and terror."

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Olmert stopped short of a promise not to release Palestinians held for lethal attacks on Israelis. But he did vow "never to repeat the mistakes made in the past, the result of which was an increase in terrorism and the return of released terrorists to acts of terror, which took the lives of many Israeli citizens."

Earlier in the day, Olmert, addressing the families of fallen IDF soldiers on Memorial Day, said that Israel would weigh every diplomatic initiative and could make "very painful concessions" in an effort to reach peace.

Olmert told mourners gathered at the national cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem that Israel's debt to its fallen included "not letting up, nor despairing, in believing and the vital effort to attain the hoped-for peace, peace with security.

"We will weigh with great seriousness every diplomatic initiative, we will take advantage of every chance, we will be prepared for far-reaching compromises, and even for very painful concessions, as long as our vital and existential interests are safeguarded, in order to fulfill our burning ambition for peace."

Israelis across the country stood at attention for one minute on Sunday night as sirens were sounded to signal the beginning of Memorial Day, which will end Monday evening with the traditional torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, followed immediately by the opening of the festivities of Israel's 59th Independence Day.

Obligation to abducted soldiers
On Sunday night, Acting President Dalia Itzik said Sunday that Israel would not forget its obligation to abducted Israel Defense Forces soldiers, during an address to the official Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City.

"We will remember the wounded and our obligation to bring back the abducted [soldiers] who are being held by Hamas and Hezbollah as well as our obligation to seek information on the fate of missing troops," added Itzik.

"The war for the establishment of independence is still ongoing and the road to peace and security is still long," Itzik said. "We are surrounded by enemies who have yet to accept our existence and we must prepare to deal with threats from near and far."

"On this evening, in with the nation unites to remember the fallen, we must remember what we have thanks to them, the array of the achievements of the State of Israel, which is still young and fragile, wrought with storms and dealing with disparity, and is nonetheless a light unto the nations," she continued.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told those attending the ceremony that the IDF is doing what it can to rectify the problems it encountered in the Second Lebanon War.

"We have thoroughly investigated the last war and are engaged in correcting the malfunctions," he said. "We must do all we can in order to worthy of the heroism of those who fought in that war."

Ashkenazi also talked about the importance of a strong army for the country.

"Fifty-nine years since the rebirth of the Jewish people, the IDF stands on guard for the nation and the land. We are the People of the Book, but we also know to grasp the sword when the time comes," he said.

"The last year was a difficult one for Israel and the IDF, names have been added to the stone tablets, and rows have been added to the cemeteries. Often I'm asked if we will swing the sword forever, when will we achieve peace and prosperity. My answer is clear and resolute: Only a high-quality and determined IDF based on the best of fighters can bring the region to recognize that negotiations must only be conducted at the negotiating table," he continued.

"We are not an army that desires war, but rather a defensive army, but if war is imposed upon us, we will do all that is necessary for the residents of Israel in their homes and tranquil borders."