Olmert expresses strong desire for peace on Memorial Day

Source: Xinhuanet | 04-24-2007 09:44

JERUSALEM, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister EhudOlmert said Monday morning while delivering speech at ceremony of Memorial Day that Israel will not despair in searching for peace.

At the beginning of Monday's ceremony, which started with two-minute wailing of siren throughout the country for commemorating Israel's fallen soldiers in wars, the prime minister called on Israelis "not to despair and not give up the belief that peace could be reached."

He said Israel would like to consider every diplomatic initiative and be prepared for extreme and even painful compromises in order to realize its strong desire for peace.

Olmert also promised that Israel would continue to work for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit, who were held hostages by Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian militant groups respectively.

Israel's Memorial Day, which is expected to end on Monday evening, is devoted to the memory of those who have given their lives so that the State of Israel can exist.

Editor:Du Xiaodan