“As in every democratic country, we have disagreements; this is natural,” the Israeli leader said in an address to the nation. However, “I always remember one thing: We are one people, with one fate. We have no other country. We are brothers.”
By United with Israel Staff
As Israelis heatedly debate the government’s planned judicial overhaul and hundreds of thousands have been protesting – a sign of true democracy – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on Thursday evening, reminding Israelis that “even in the stormiest times…we are one people.”
The timing was especially significant, as Jews around the world have begun observing the annual “Nine Days” of communal mourning, which culminates on Tisha b’Av – the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, commemorating the destruction of both the First and the Second Temples as well as many other national tragedies that occurred on that date.
‘We Have Turned Israel into a Rising Power’
“Citizens of Israel, at this time, the shadow of the destruction and exile of the Ninth of Av is hanging over us,” the prime minister said. “We were dispersed in various exiles. We have known suffering and pain. After many generations, we returned to our land to build it together with our state.
“We have turned Israel into a rising power among the nations. We have built a strong, advanced and prosperous state. We have done this thanks to what we have in common.
“We all want a Jewish and democratic state. We all want a strong IDF, and we all understand that we only have one state.
“However, as in every democratic country, we have disagreements; this is natural. Very many among us believe that the proper balance between the authorities has been disturbed over the past decades; therefore, they believe that this balance must be restored so that the democratic choice of the people may find expression by the government that was elected by the people and which expresses the will of the people. Others are concerned about the implications they attribute to this change, and others simply want to topple the government which was elected democratically – without any connection to the reform.”
‘I Would Like to Calm Everyone’
“This evening, I would like to calm everyone,” Netanyahu stated. “In every situation, Israel will continue to be a democratic state. It will continue to be a liberal state. It will not become a state governed by Jewish religious law, and it will safeguard everyone’s individual rights. “But when I say ‘everyone’, these rights must really be equal for everyone. None are more equal, and none are less equal. Some people cannot be subject to the law while others are above it…
“As the Prime Minister of all Israeli citizens, I aspire to reach broad agreement on the issue of amending the legal system.”
Netanyahu stressed the danger posed by those who threaten to refuse to serve in the military reserves because of their disagreement with the democratically elected government, stressing that any claims that changes to the judicial system would destroy Israeli democracy “are simply absurd.”
Notably, “in the past, many citizens of Israel did not agree with everything that previous governments have done…Even though they saw these things as endangering the very existence if the state, nobody voiced a sweeping threat of refusal to serve in order to thwart the policy of the elected government…
“It is good that several leaders of the opposition have recently come out against refusal to serve,” he added.
‘The Prime Minister of Everyone’
“Citizens of Israel, in my 16 years as Prime Minister, I have always seen myself as the Prime Minister of everyone. Not for one minute have I neglected the great challenges and opportunities that face us: In the growth of the economy, we are taking action here, lowering the cost of living, we are taking action here too. In the daily fight against terrorism, in the ongoing fight against the Iranian threat, in expanding the peace agreements – we are working toward these goals all the time.
“Even in these moments we are taking action. I would like to tell you efforts are being made to reach agreement…I very much hope that these efforts will succeed…
“Because even in the stormiest times that we can remember, I always remember one thing: We are one people, with one fate. We have no other country. We are brothers.”