Bennett: "I will work with all my might to establish a government with Yair Lapid""

May 30, 2021   

Yamina Party Chairman, MK Naftali Bennett, officially announced this evening (Sunday) his decision to form a people's government with Yair Lapid, Gideon Sa'ar, the left-wing parties and the "Ra'am". In his opening remarks, Bennett said: "For the past two and a half years, the State of Israel has been in a whirlwind. Another election campaign, and another, for four election campaigns we have watched with tearful eyes as our country sabotages itself, weakens itself, and loses its ability to function. "Conflicting government ministers who are not managing anything, riots and the burning of synagogues in Lod and Acre, fatal neglect and evasion of responsibility in the Meron disaster, instead of managing, treating, leading, the constant patent is to direct the fire outward, encourage hatred and polarization between parts of the people, in order to cover up the failure. 2,000 years ago, there was a Jewish state here because of internal quarrels. This will not happen again. Not on my watch." According to Bennett, the political crisis in Israel is unprecedented: "We can go to fifth, sixth, tenth elections, dismantle the walls of the state, brick by brick, until our house falls on us. And we can stop the madness, and take responsibility." Bennett rejected Likud's claims that a right-wing government can be formed: "There are those who tell us that there is a right-wing government around the corner, and only we are preventing its formation. This is a complete lie. There is no right-wing government. Four election campaigns and two more months have proven to all of us that there simply is no right-wing government headed by Netanyahu. It is either fifth elections or a unity government. Don't let them tell you stories: there are no defectors, there are no two more fingers for 61, and there is no government. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to you with a resolute forehead." "This morning was another attempt, public, to form such a government, with Gideon Sa'ar first in the rotation and Netanyahu second. Of course I gave my consent. The attempt failed because no one believes that the promises Will be held. Mr. Netanyahu is no longer trying to form a right-wing government, because he knows very well that there is none. He wants to take the entire national camp, and the entire country, with him, to his personal side. ''At such a crucial moment, one must take responsibility. Therefore, I announce today that I intend to act with all my might to form a national unity government together with my friend, Yair Lapid. So that, with God's help, together, we can rescue the country from the spiral and put Israel back on track. Yair and I disagree on a number of essential issues, but we share a love for the country and a willingness to act on its behalf. ''Yair has shown leadership and generosity during this difficult period, and I would be happy to lead the country together with him, with Gideon Sa'ar and all the other partners. Yes, together. This government will only succeed if we work together, as a group. Not "I" but "we". We will bring back this "we" that has been Israel's secret weapon since its establishment. All parties are invited to enter the government.'' Bennett emphasized: ''For the government to succeed, we will need all of us, all of the partners, Show restraint. No one will be asked to give up their ideology, but everyone will have to postpone the realization of some of their dreams. We will focus on what can be done, instead of fighting over what is impossible." Despite the coalition agreements that have already been published indicating that this will be a sham government - Bennett said: "This is a government that will not be against any sector, or any group. It will not abuse anyone. It will only be in favor. A government in favor. Ministers who care, who simply run the country, each in their own field." The Yamina chairman turned to his friends in the national camp and religious Zionism: "There are those who are trying to scare you, as if this is a left-wing government. That is a lie. The truth is that this will be a government that is a little more right-wing than the current government. Look at the list of ministers. "The left is making some difficult compromises here when it gives me, the former CEO of the Yesha Council and a man of the Land of Israel, the position of Prime Minister, and my friend Gideon Sa'ar, a clear right-winger, the position of Minister of Justice. We have not moved from our values. This is not a government that will disengage, nor will it cede territory, nor will it be afraid to launch a military operation, if required. The political context will not stop anything. Each side has equal voting power, and each side has a veto right. We can relax." He added: "I call on those of you who believe in the process, who are willing to give it a chance - raise your voices! Speak up. We are facing a well-oiled machine that spreads lies day and night in order to instill fear in the hearts of the public. "So, dear public, this is your time to get involved, express your opinion, support, and not remain a silent majority. Don't say - 'too bad' later, speak up now. We are setting off. If we succeed - we will do something huge for the State of Israel. In any case - we will know that we did everything in a difficult moment. This is the most complex decision I have ever made in my life, but I am at peace with it. Finally, I pray to the Holy One, blessed be He, the prayer of Solomon: "And give to your servant an understanding heart, to judge your people, to discern between good and evil. Thank you very much.".