It is imperative not to return to the fractious political discourse prior to October 7, Israeli President President Isaac Herzog tells lawmakers during a special Knesset session marking seventy five years since the establishment of the parliament.
Those who have fallen in battle in Gaza represent “the best of the best” of Israeli society and reflect a mosaic of people “from all over the country, from every community, a variety of lifestyles, worldviews, beliefs and religions,” he says, quoting the mother of one soldier who declared that “if the heavy price of losing my son was for the unity of the people, I am ready to accept it with submission and love.”
“On this day, the birthday of the Israeli Knesset – the temple of our democracy – it is important for me to emphasize: unity is not uniformity, unity is not silencing, unity is not the cessation of discussion and debate on matters that concern the core of existence of the Israeli state, society and democracy,” Herzog continues.
“No one has a doubt that this house will very soon hold the most important and probably the most stormy debates there are. On war and peace, on the day before and the day after, on security, on economy and society, on political and social policies and processes, on drawing conclusions and learning lessons, and also on our normalization processes in the Middle East— which Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and… Iran are trying to thwart with all their might.
“In these discussions, the coalition has an important place, and there is an equally important place for the opposition. But, when we stand in these historical moments and face challenges that few nations face, I feel obliged to express here the murmurs of the people’s hearts, and to say: there is a way to have a debate,” Herzog declares. “Even when arguing: be worthy! We must not return to the discourse of October 6.”
“It is impossible to talk about mutual respect and unity without the Knesset taking a central part in the change. The demand of the people, of the families, of the spaces… must be reflected here and must become a decree engraved on the walls of this tabernacle. This is our duty toward this nation, toward this generation. Be worthy.”
