President Peres: I suggest to our enemies to be on our side

       Israel paused Monday night to mourn its fallen soldiers, as the nation marked Remembrance Day and honored the memory of those who lost their lives in defense of the state. Speaking at the state memorial ceremony held at the Western Wall on the eve of Remembrance Day, President Shimon Peres said: "We do not want war, but if war is forced on us, I suggest to our friends and enemies, as one, to be on the right side, on our side, on the side that has always won and will always win." Peres asked to address the bereaved family members, saying "we wish you would find comfort in the knowledge that an entire people, an entire nation, sees itself as sharing your tragedy." After Peres spoke, Ashkenazi took the stand and praised the IDF soldiers and the army's high moral standard. "Here, in front of the Wailing Wall, I stand together with all of the IDF soldiers and salute all those who died in defense of our country," the IDF chief of general staff said. "In this time, when speculations and allegations are being made about the moral code of the IDF following Operation Cast Lead, I would like to tell you about the sacrifices being made in fighting terrorism," said Ashkenazi. "The IDF is committed to saving human life and our enemies take advantage of our high morals when firing at us from within centers of civilian population." Ashkenazi praised the IDF soldiers, saying that "as their commander I want to tell you - our advantage over our enemies is because of our soldiers; we can and should be proud of them." (20,56)