Lapid at faction meeting
Lapid at faction meetingHezki Baruch

Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid began his faction's weekly meeting Monday by refencing the upcoming formation of the new government led by him and Naftali Bennett.

Lapid rejected claims that this government would be short-lived, "this government will be good, it will last because it has come to work."

"The last few days have shown how much we need change," he argued. "If the government uses violence and incitement against Knesset members, against their children, against the very existence of the democratic process, then change is needed. If our political culture is based on lies and threats and hatred of Arabs, and hatred of leftists, and hatred of rightists who do not hate Arabs and leftists enough, then yes, we need a change and we brought the change. We brought it and we are proud of it."

"I want to turn to Benjamin Netanyahu's supporters: I know that the formation of a unity government is a big crisis for you, but you will find that this government is not being set up against you. It will work for you, it will respect you, it is also yours. Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Religious Zionism, they will find that we are honest with them, respect their beliefs and opinions, are attentive to their needs," Lapid added.

He said, "Yesterday all the leaders of the 'change' parties sat down. I saw their determination. This government will be established. This government will be good, this government will last. Because it is based on the right things: on trust, on fairness, on good will."

Lapid was asked if he feared the possibility that Netanyahu would vacate his seat at the head of the Likud and the coalition would be disbanded before it could be sworn in. He replied, "There is a high probability that the government will be formed. There is no 100 percent in politics."

Lapid was asked about the veto demanded by Avigdor Liberman on whether haredi parties could join the government in the first year and did not deny it, but noted, "what matters is not the politicians but the haredi public."

Asked about the number of ministers in the government, Lapid replied, "I failed in the matter, I wanted a smaller government, but I failed."

Lapid stressed that he did not accuse Rabbi Chaim Druckman of incitement. "I don't suspect Rabbi Druckman of calling for violence. There are other rabbis. There is an atmosphere of incitement. A degree of caution is the duty of all of us."

Asked about the cancellation of the Jerusalem Flag March, Lapid replied: "We will not give in to Hamas and if it threatens us we will enter with force, but the police and Shin Bet forces do everything to prevent violence and it is all because Ben Gvir decided he wanted to parade."