Incoming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu introduced his government Tuesday in the inauguration session in the Knesset. Despite the ceremonial nature of the session, Netanyahu’s speech was repeatedly interrupted by catcalls. While most of the interruptions were by opposition MKs, the MK who interrupted the incoming Prime Minister’s speech most often was MK Shelly Yechimovich (Labor), who is a member of the coalition.
When Netanyahu announced his intention to invest in education, in order to return Israeli children to the top 10 percent in world education levels, Yechimovich shouted at him and predicted that he would cut the education budget, as he did in the past when he was PM.
Netanyahu protested in the course of his speech against the behavior of MKs during his speech, and said that when Likud was in the opposition, its members behaved respectfully on such occasions.
Tells PA: 'no threats allowed'
Netanyahu said that Israel faces great financial and security challenges but emphasized that Israel would not allow anyone to question the Jewish people’s right to the Israeli state.
Netanyahu explained that he succeeded in bringing together a national unity government to face Israel’s challenges. He also singled out extremist Islam as the single greatest threat to Israel, moderate Arab nations, and the entire world. He criticized the world for being silent about the Iran nuclear threat and warned that Israel would not allow its existence to be threatened.
Netanyahu told the Palestinian Authority, “If you’re ready for peace, we can achieve peace.” He emphasized such a peace would be based on “security, financial prosperity, and diplomacy.” He stated that the process would be methodical, and the PA would not be allowed to threaten Israel.
Regarding the economic crisis, Netanyahu said that he is committed to finding financial solutions for the crisis and explained that the national unity government will be suited to meet the challenge.
Olmert 'happy'
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert opened the government inauguration in the Knesset. He stated that he was not bitter that his term ended early and that he was happy with his successes as Prime Minister.
Olmert praised the IDF’s success in both the Second Lebanon War and in Operation Cast Lead. He emphasized that the IDF is the most moral army in the world, and that the two conflicts brought greater safety to Israel.
Netanyahu opened his speech by thanking Olmert for his service in the interest of Israel’s security, including – he said – some decisions which the public is not yet aware of.