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Rivlin Opens Knesset Calling for Unity; Arab MKs Boycott Anthem

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Israeli President Reuven Rivlin opened the 20th Knesset on Tuesday afternoon, March 31, welcoming MKs new and old and hailing the March 17 elections as a celebration of Israel’s vibrant democracy.

President urges parties to move on from election mudslinging, calls for speedy conclusion to coalition talks.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin opened the 20th Knesset on Tuesday afternoon, March 31, welcoming MKs new and old and hailing the March 17 elections as a celebration of Israel’s vibrant democracy.

“On the recent Election Day, Israel’s democracy once again proved that is it is strong, thriving, and unpredictable,” said Rivlin.

“In Carmiel as in Nazareth, in Bnei Barak as in Tel Aviv, in Ariel as in Kochav Yair, in Nahal Oz, in Rahat, in Netivot, in Jerusalem, and across the country, millions of citizens of Israel, men and women, went out to assemble the pieces of the mosaic that is the 20th Knesset of Israel.”

Playing on the text of the prayers offered by Jews on the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur), Rivlin added: “On the day of electoral judgment, they decided ‘Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony… who will be cast away and who will be uplifted.’

“It was decreed who would shape the face of this Knesset and its power, the face and future of the State of Israel for years to come.”

“The task remains uncompleted as long as the new government has yet to be sworn in before the Knesset,” he continued, referring to the ongoing, arduous coalition negotiations. “I urge all sides involved, to strive to conclude the coalition negotiations as soon as possible. The public infrastructure is suffering from paralysis for several long months, and we must allow it to return to full functionality. Each day that passes, exacts a higher price upon the Israeli people.”

Rivlin also referenced the upcoming festival of Pesach (Passover), and its three primary Torah commandments of the Passover offering, Matza (unleavened bread) and Marror (bitter herbs).

“Similarly, this house also stands upon three things: being servants of the public, representing the changing face of Israel, and responsibility to make decisions,” he told MKs, calling on them to move on from the mudslinging of the election campaign and focus on the important issues facing the State of Israel.

“During the elections, it seems there were times that the drama occurred between politicians and other politicians, between the politicians and the media, between campaigners and spin doctors, between ‘them’, ‘you’, and ‘us’,” he said, in a reference to the “them or us” campaigning employed particularly by the election’s two largest opponents, the Likud and Zionist Union parties.

“But now the clashes have ended, the time has come to return focus to the main actors, the citizens of the State of Israel.  Not you seated here, whether victors or the losers, but them.  They, who have sent you here, as public servants, and not as ‘chosen to be above the people’.

“Do not forget for one minute who sent you to this place; the public’s trust is the most dearest of assets in democracy. This trust is given now into the hands of each and every one of you.”

(INN)

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