"During my visit in Berlin last week, I witnessed first hand the price we paid for being helpless," the prime minister said at Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, referring to the architectural plans for the Auschwitz death camp, including detailed blueprints for the camp's living barracks, delousing facilities and gas chambers. He was presented with these documents during his trip.
"But we returned to our homeland," Netanyahu continued. "And we are obligated to strengthen our hold on the land and to preserve our independence."
The prime minister also told the pupils that one way to do this was through their educational efforts.
"We advocate education that stresses values, Zionism and a love of the land, and that is what you are learning here," he said.
Speaking to pupils earlier in the day in Modi'in, Netanyahu was asked by one of the children if he was excited about being elected prime minister. "Yes, but not as much as the last time," Netanyahu said smiling, "because [this
time] I knew what was waiting for me."
Addressing recent reports of a possible prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, Netanyhu said that captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit would be returned "only when it would be made possible."
"We are continually thinking and working towards this end," he said.
Later in the day, the prime minister arrived in the northern town of Shfaram, where he spoke to pupils at a high school and said that he would
work to clamp down on violence during the new school year.
"We all desire peace, mostly amongst our own communities," Netanyahu said. "Therefore, we must put a stop to violence."