This government began its tenure seven weeks ago at the height of an
unprecedented, severe global economic crisis, which hadn't yet been dealt
with. Our goal was first and foremost to bring about stability. Our goal
was to pass the Government Budget within six weeks - and we did so. Our
goal was to pass a budget for the next two years to convey that same
stability - and we did this as well. Our goal was to obtain an economic
package deal with the employers and the Labor Federation - and we did so -
in order to unite our forces and prevent crises and work conflicts at a time
when the economy was under attack. Our goal in the government was to
quickly pass historic reforms in the Israel Lands Authority - and we did
this too. I will ask for your assistance later in terms of legislation.
Our goal was to create broad unity - as broad as possible - with those who
wanted unity, and we did this as well. All these were the right things to
do in order to produce stability and growth in the Israeli economy in the
face of the previously untended global economic crisis. However, we had
another goal, and I think those people who were in the government
ministries, in the corridors of power, knew how hard it was. Our goal was
to achieve the right balance at this time between two enormous and opposing
needs: the needs of society and the economy on the one hand, and our
security needs on the other. Both these needs stem from unique situations.
We had to introduce this balance in this budget - and we did so.
My friends, Members of Knesset,
We do not live in ordinary times. You all know this, even if you do not say
so, even if you only cry out in your hearts, you know - these are not
ordinary times. Because we do not just face an unprecedented economic
crisis, as all the nations of the world do - and we are weathering it better
than most countries. I am not the only one who says this. I suggest that
you speak with the Governor of the Bank of Israel, but also with other
experts. In addition to the economic crisis that we and other countries
face, we also face special security challenges that no other country has to
face.
I believe that, especially now, unity is needed. It obligates us all,
coalition and opposition, to rise above our normal factionalism. There is
everyday factionalism; there are also extraordinary moments during which we
need to unite our forces, and we will have to do so in the future because we
have a shared responsibility for the future of the State of Israel. I said
it before and I will say it again - the most dangerous thing a peace-loving
people can do is not recognize an existential danger in time. Many peoples
in history have disappeared as a result of this shortcoming, and our people
also paid an unbearable price for this. The leadership, any leadership,
must first and foremost recognize the dangers and prepare for them. My
responsibility is first and foremost to take care of Israel's security and
ensure its future. This obligates determining orders of priority and making
decisions, and at times these decisions are not easy ones. My duty as prime
minister is sometimes to subordinate the orders of priority - not just
sometimes, but always to subordinate the orders of priority to the
existential needs of Israel, and I will not hesitate to do so.
Just as we must recognize the dangers and prepare for them, we must also
recognize opportunities and act to realize them. Today, for the first time
in all our lives, the Arab governments - or most of them in any event -
recognize that they face the same threat as Israel. On the eve of my visit
to Washington, it was clear to me that the most important mission at that
moment was to reach agreements with the new president of the United States
and the new administration in Washington regarding the nuclearization of
Iran - and we met this goal as well. In my meetings in Washington, my
position was that the greatest danger Israel and the entire world faces is
Iran's efforts to develop military nuclear capability, and I greatly
appreciate the fact that the Obama administration accepted this position
with understanding. Furthermore, I would like to tell the members of
Knesset that we reaffirmed understandings with the United States regarding
the most essential matters of our national security, and we also reached
concrete and important achievements in the field of security.
This was a summation of the topic of security. However, a moment ago I said that there is an opportunity here as well, and it may be an opportunity for peace. Up to this point, previous governments, including the one represented here on the opposition benches, did not succeed in achieving peace. They made statements, they promised, they made pledges, they discussed – but they did not achieve peace. On the contrary, peace disappeared under a heavy barrage of missiles and rockets. I believe we can try to advance peace in new ways with three approaches.
The first approach is one of regional peace. We believe that cooperation with Arab countries in a circle of peace will strengthen us. It will provide content, stability and security to the Palestinians and to us. It was said that there is a new Middle East, even if one cannot see it, but it is different than the one people thought of. It is different because on the Middle Eastern horizon there are parties that endanger us all, and today the majority of us in the Middle East understand this. However, I believe that it creates an opportunity for us to expand the circle of peace, and I am pleased that President Obama sees this opportunity as well. It is important that we are joined by Arab countries other than Jordan and Egypt, which I not incidentally just visited. First and foremost, we want to strengthen the existing circle of peace, but we believe it can be expanded, even at this very moment. It can be expanded. We welcome President Obama’s efforts to advance steps towards normalization with Israel. I believe this is new and refreshing, and it is completely compatible with our point of view, and we will make great efforts in this regard.
Secondly, there is a renewal in the approach that the reality on the ground must be changed. We are advancing economic projects in the Palestinian Authority in the fields of agriculture, industry and tourism, as well as other spheres of life. I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to secure investments from third-party countries in Europe, Asia and other places, including the Arab world and the Gulf. They tell me it is not acceptable; I tell you it is. Everyone understands this – they understand it in the United States, they understand it in Europe, they understand it in the Gulf, they understand it in the Arab countries surrounding us, the Palestinians understand it. They want it, and rightly so. We also want it, and we are advancing it in a practical manner. We will work to do those things that will bring about a change in the economic situation, and not only on the ground.
Thirdly, we are in favor of advancing the political process with the Palestinians. In this regard, I wish to point out a central principle. The Government of Israel under my leadership is committed to the political and international agreements signed by the Governments of Israel, and we expect others to honor their commitments as well. We want an end to the conflict, and we want reciprocity in the claims on both sides and their implementation. Unfortunately, in this we are also being innovative. We should not have to innovate; it should have been obvious. However, when we are asked to recognize our international commitments, I say yes, and I want others to respect their commitments as well. We are prepared to act, and we will take concrete steps towards peace with the Palestinians. We also expect the Palestinians to take such concrete steps on their side, and it would be good if the Arab countries joined in the effort towards peace, and take both concrete and symbolic steps towards normalization, and not later, but right now. They are asking us to act now, and so the Palestinians and the Arab countries should also be asked to act now.
My fellow Members of Knesset,
This is the right approach; this is the approach we will take; and this is the only approach that will bring results much faster than you in the opposition brought when you were in the government, and much faster than you think.
Video Channel 2 report on Livni vs Prime minister
Opposition leader Tsipi Livni told Netanyahu," If there is something that you have succeeded in doing, Mr. Prime Minister, it is to make all Israelis concerned. There are hundreds of assistants, dozens of ministers, but no government and no vision. Is the prime minister without a vision and direction or someone who caves into pressure? Probably all these answers are right. This is a prime minister who we can say is afraid."
Livni added, "Even today you are being stubborn about the wrong thing. Imposing Vat on fruit and vegetables is incomprehensible. Be a man and give in".
