Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) is particularly optimistic as Israel celebrates its 70th Independence Day, and described the country's achievements in an interview with Arutz Sheva.
"You see an impressive development in the economic sphere," she said. "In the early years of the state, we had to import almost everything. Today we are a richer country with an economy of technology and know-how alongside the gas discoveries that contribute to the State of Israel being much more independent.”
"The State of Israel has become the largest Jewish concentration and almost everything important in terms of spirit is happening here. We have come a long way from the small country that was threatened at the beginning to what we are today. We should be happy with what we have,” continued Hotovely.
Hotovely also said that she believes that Israel, in its 70th year, is more independent on matters of foreign affairs and security. "There is no comparison between the last 20 years in terms of the intensity of the international pressure on Israel and the few last years, in which the world is undergoing a very significant shake-up.”
"Suddenly there is an understanding that the main problem in the Middle East is not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but rather the problem of radical forces coming to Europe and the United States. The entire world has changed. I am not saying that the UN is an objective place when it comes to the State of Israel, but when I think of the interests of the current U.S. administration which completely understands the security needs of the State of Israel and, in a historic move, is transferring the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and when next week I am going to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, to try to turn many positive statements on this subject and bring more embassies to Jerusalem, then we are witnessing a great change.”
"When the UN recognized the State of Israel on November 29, 1947, there were 33 countries that supported us, and today we have diplomatic relations with 160 countries. That says something about how the State of Israel is perceived in the world. Today there is an understanding that Israel is fighting the radical Islam that the entire world suffers from," continued Hotovely.
The Deputy Foreign Minister also believes that the internal rifts among Israelis are shrinking. "The Israeli left is collapsing. Most of the people believe in the path of the movement that I am part of, on everything related to the Land of Israel and with regard to a free market economy, which has led to prosperity.”
"Today there is no dispute over the economy, and even on the substantive issue that has stirred up the political system over the years - the settlements, concessions and the division of the land. The majority of the people understand that dividing the country would be a disaster. The polarization is mainly in the media and on social media,” she opined.
Deputy Minister Hotovely expressed hope that a separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislative branch will take place during Israel’s 70th year.
"The separation of powers must be restored to the State of Israel. The most important thing to do in the upcoming Knesset summer session is to pass a Basic Law on Judiciary that explicitly states that a court must stop taking authorities it doesn’t have and disqualify laws by aggressively interfering in the political system.”
"This must stop and I think it will benefit both the democratic system as well as the public trust in the judicial system. We have a responsibility to enact the Overrule Clause or another alternative law. It is clear that determining what is permissible and what is forbidden within this dynamic between the authorities will save Israeli democracy," concluded Hotovely.