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Olmert: We're committed to stopping Gaza rocket strikes By Haaretz Correspondents and Agencies , By Sara Miller and Anshel Pfeffer Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told participants at the "Facing Tomorrow" presidential conference in Jerusalem yesterday that Israel's government was committed to stopping the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, moments after a Grad rocket slammed into an Ashkelon shopping mall, wounding at least 80 people. At a conference marking 60 years of Israeli-American friendship, Olmert thanked President Shimon Peres, who is hosting the three-day conference. "Your ardent dedication to Israel ... is unmatched. Thank you, Mr. President, for everything," Olmert said. Advertisement He also lavished praise on U.S. President George W. Bush, who spoke directly after him. "He is a great leader, a great friend, a source of inspiration, and we are very proud that we can celebrate the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel with you and your wife here in our eternal capital, Jerusalem," Olmert said. "Our core beliefs, our founding values and our aspirations are all drawn from the same inspirations. With full confidence I say that the U.S. under your leadership represents the pinnacle of this friendship," he added. "Israel is and must remain capable of securing its own future, relying only on ourselves for our protection. But everybody in Israel knows that we can always depend on our greatest ally in the world, the United States of America, when navigating the geo-political challenges of the future," Olmert concluded. Peres, speaking before Olmert, opened his address with praise for Bush, whom he credited with "mov[ing] us with your friendship and resolve to stop terror in the region and offer[ing] peace to its inhabitants." "Without the support of your people and without your support and that of the American presidents before you, attaining [independence] would have been an extremely difficult task," Peres said. "You encouraged us when we were alone to establish a real democracy, to develop a modern economy," he continued. "We built an army that sought victory and a people that sought peace." Peres said history would look kindly upon Bush's policies in the region: "It will be heard when history depicts your courage and decisiveness while addressing challenges that faced the U.S.A. and in fact the entire world," Peres said. "You taught the world that it is possible to be powerful without being power hungry," Peres said. "For us, this is a thanksgiving party to a tremendous nation, for the leadership of President George Walker Bush - never short of faith, never postponing a choice, always in the service of the great American tradition. Bush's speech sealed the event. He congratulated Israel on its 60th birthday, and noted that the U.S. was the first country to recognize Israel's independence, making it "Israel's oldest and best friend in the world." "We must be steadfast and we must be strong in the face of those who murder the innocent to achieve their objectives. We believe that the surest way to defeat the enemies of hatred is to advance the cause of hope, the cause of freedom, liberty as the great alternative to tyranny and terror," he said. There were also speeches by the honorary chairs of the conference, Sheldon and Miri Adelson, who contributed $3 million to cover the conference expenses. It closes this evening. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Animated massacre Animated Israeli film at Cannes explores Sabra and Shatila massacre. Kowtowing to funders When papers are sponsored, can their reporting be truly independent?

Read & React Barak: It won't be long before Israel stops rocket fire Responses: 123 Bush: We must be firm in face of those who murder innocents Responses: 116 Israel dismayed over allies' burgeoning trade with Iran Responses: 96 MI Chief: Rockets could reach Be'er Sheva within two years Responses: 72 Abbas: It's time to end the Nakba of the Palestinian people Responses: 95 More Headlines 22:54 Driver: I personally handed Olmert envelopes stuffed with cash 01:27 Israel: Bush means business on Iran nukes 02:39 ANALYSIS: Who wants to stop Iran? 02:57 ANALYSIS: Was Bush's Knesset speech a swipe at Obama? 22:16 Qassam rocket strikes Sderot synagogue; no one hurt 02:35 Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'nakba' 20:39 Philly Jewish paper accused of kowtowing to its funders 16:53 Israeli film at Cannes explores 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre 20:09 Bush to Knesset: U.S. stands with Israel, Masada will not fall again 16:45 Hezbollah declares crisis over after Lebanon gov't climb-down 18:19 Reuters demands explanation from Israel for death of cameramen 18:57 Obama says Bush politically attacked him in Knesset address Previous Editions Select Day 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may

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