Olmert also observed a staff meeting with city officials who are dealing with the aftermath of the attacks.
“They are doing all the right things,” he said. “All the departments of the municipality are functioning and they took care of all the human aspects. There was nothing of substance that I could tell him [Giuliani]. I think there is nothing I can teach him.”
However, during a televised portion of the mayors’ visit to the disaster site, Olmert did encourage New Yorkers to return to their usual routines.
“One of the things that these terrorists are trying to achieve is to stop us from leading our way of life. We have to do the opposite,” he said.
When asked whether New York could teach Jerusalem anything about dealing with terrorism, Olmert said there wasn’t.
“Unfortunately, we are very, very, very experienced,” he said.
In the past year, Giuliani has consistently supported Israel’s fight against Palestinian terrorism. In addition to hosting Israeli officials at City Hall, he has also held numerous press conferences condemning terror and voicing his support for the Israeli people.
“I felt it was the right thing to do — to express the emotions of the Israeli people,” said Olmert of his visit. “You know how many people in New York see Jerusalem as a second home, and how many people in Jerusalem see New York as a second home and a preferred place to visit. There is a very strong bond.”