All of us send you our very
best wishes for success - and with you, to your parents Dr. Yosef and Rivka Burg. I would
also like to thank the outgoing temporary Speaker, MK Shimon Peres, who has led the
Knesset in the last few weeks with a practiced, experienced and steady hand, and with him,
to all the Knesset members who have left the House, this seat, and particularly to Knesset
Speaker Dan Tichon, who guided the Knesset in a manner which added honor to the House and
to Israeli democracy.
Let me begin with a personal comment. I have been a soldier for practically all my
adult life. I have known the pride of victory, but also the pain of failure. And as one
whose only clothes, for decades, wore olive-drab uniforms, I tell you today that, in the
words of the poet Hillel, "We -- the gray soldiers, whose hands are blackened with
war, whose nostrils reek with death, whose throats are hoarse -- we cry love to inside
your souls."
I am not alone here today on this podium. Together with me are generations of IDF
soldiers who withstood the most severe trials of fire in order to secure our liberty.
Together with me are those who returned at dawn from the nighttime inferno, carrying on
their shoulders the silent stretchers bearing their lifeless comrades...
Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset:
In the annals of the Knesset there are turning points, ends of eras and beginnings of
new ones. Today a new government in Israel starts out, resting on the broad-based
confidence of the House and most of the people.
I believe that this day will be chronicled as a milestone and turning point -- a time
of reconciliation, unity and peace.
Eight weeks have passed since the people had their say at the polls. As I begin my
address, I would like to again express my profound appreciation to the masses of Israelis
who placed their confidence in me, and my appreciation of all citizens, regardless of
outlook, who participated in the democratic process and expressed their choice and free
will.
I am duty-bound to express my full appreciation for the outgoing government for the
efforts it invested and also for the achievements during its tenure. I express my
appreciation to all the ministers, and in particular to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
who since receiving the decision of the electorate, has behaved in an exemplary and
statesmanlike fashion.
And I wish to add a personal comment. Even if, on a political level, we disagreed, very
often on matters of style, on the personal level our relationships were hardly ever
affected. And as one who has accompanied the Netanyahu family, including Benjamin
Netanyahu, for decades, I hope and believe that we will be able to be friends in the
future as well.
I already said on the evening of the election that, from the moment I was elected, I
view myself as an emissary of all Israeli citizens. I shall act with all my strength on
their behalf, and for their sake, together with my colleagues, out of a profound
recognition of responsibility and mission, in order to guide and lead the country forward
to its great objectives and a promising future.
There is an ancient prayer in my heart, the prayer of Solomon: "Give your servant
a discerning heart. to distinguish between good and evil, for who is able to judge your
great people?" Mr. Speaker, distinguished Knesset,
I am proud to submit to the people and the House a new, broad-based, good,
representative government, supported by the large majority of Knesset members and the
citizens of the state. It was not in vain that I took advantage of the full time allotted
by law to form the government. I did not take the easy way.
The lessons of Jewish history and the depth of the social and political chasm in Israel
today required me to choose the long and patient way in order to achieve the goal which I
had set for myself: to form a government which will act during a time of difficult
national decisions, through consent and balance between most sections of the people. I did
not accept any disqualification of any side.
During the negotiations I seriously examined the possibility of expanding the basis of
the coalition even further. This was not possible and in retrospect, this may have been
best. In a democratic system, there is great importance to the role of a parliamentary
opposition, and it is my intention to express my recognition of this by maintaining
ongoing contacts with, providing information to and holding consultations with the heads
of those factions which are not members of the coalition.
I expect substantive and constructive criticism from the opposition which will also
enable consideration of its opinion in managing affairs of state.
Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset,
The basic guidelines of the Government and the coalition agreements are before you.
Everything is open and fully disclosed. Nothing is concealed, there are no secret
agreements, no "under-the-table" understandings, and as you have seen, there are
neither financial commitments nor favors to specific sectors or groups.
I will not go into the details of all the Government guidelines. The guidelines
constitute the identity card of the government, the principles of its policy and its
declaration of intent. All previous governments had good intentions. Not all were equally
successful in putting them into practice.
I know that the Government will be judged by its actions, not its intentions. I will
try will all my might to ensure that the gap between its good intentions and its actions
is as narrow as possible...
Now it is our duty to complete the mission, and establish a comprehensive peace in the
Middle East which has known so much war. It is our duty to ourselves and our children to
take decisive measures to strengthen Israel by ending the Arab-Israeli conflict. This
government is determined to make every effort, pursue every path and do everything
necessary for Israel's security, the achievement of peace and the prevention of war.
We have an historic obligation to take advantage of the "window of
opportunity" which has opened before us in order to bring long-term security and
peace to Israel. We know that comprehensive and stable peace can be established only if it
rests, simultaneously, on four pillars: Egypt, Jordan, and Syria and Lebanon, in some
sense as a single bloc, and of course the Palestinians.
As long as peace is not grounded on all these four pillars, it will remain incomplete
and unstable. The Arab countries must know that only a strong and self-confident Israel
can bring peace.
Here, today, I call upon all the leaders of the region to extend their hands to meet
our outstretched hand, and toward a "peace of the brave," in a region which has
known so much war, blood and suffering. To our neighbors the Palestinians, I wish to say:
the bitter conflict between us has brought great suffering to both our peoples.
Now, there is no reason to settle accounts over historical mistakes. Perhaps things
could have been otherwise, but we cannot change the past; we can only make the future
better. I am not only cognizant of the sufferings of my people, but I also recognize the
sufferings of the Palestinian people.
My ambition and desire is to bring an end to violence and suffering, and to work with
the elected Palestinian leadership, under Chairman Yasser Arafat, in partnership and
respect, in order to jointly arrive at a fair and agreed settlement for co-existence in
freedom, prosperity and good neighborliness in this beloved land where the two peoples
will always live.
To Syrian President Hafez Assad, I say that the new Israeli government is determined,
as soon as possible, to advance the negotiations for the achievement of full, bilateral
treaty of peace and security, on the basis of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. We
have been tough and bitter adversaries on the battlefield.
The time has come to establish a secure and courageous peace which will ensure the
futures of our peoples, our children and our grandchildren. It is my intention to bring an
end to the IDF presence in Lebanon within one year, to deploy the IDF, through agreement,
along the border, and to bring our boys home - while also taking the necessary measures to
guarantee the welfare and security of residents along the northern border, as well as the
future of the Lebanese security and civilian assistance personnel who have worked
alongside us, over all these years, for the sake of the residents of the region...
These two missions - arriving at a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, and
achieving peace with Syria and Lebanon - are, in my eyes, equally vital and urgent. One
neither outranks the other, nor has priority over it.
The Government's objective will be to act, at the same time, to bring peace closer on
all fronts, but without compromising on Israel's security needs and most vital interests
-- first and foremost among them, a united Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel, under
our sovereignty. We will not be deterred by the difficulties.
I know very well that difficult negotiations, replete with crises and ups-and-downs,
await us before we reach our desired goal. I can only promise that, if the other side
displays the same degree of determination and good will to reach an agreement as on our
side, no force in the world will prevent us from achieving peace here. In this context, I
attach the greatest importance to the support of our partners to peace treaties: Egypt and
Jordan.
I believe that President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah can play a vital role in
creating the dynamics and an atmosphere of trust so needed for progress toward peace. They
can also advance education for peace among the children of Egypt and Jordan, the
Palestinians and, in the future, also of Syria and Lebanon -- education for peace, which
is a condition for any long-term, stable peace.
I am convinced that King Hassan of Morocco can also contribute to this, as can other
countries who already, in the past, opened channels of communication with Israel,
cooperating with the peace process in various spheres. My aspiration will be to firmly
resume these contacts in order to create a favorable regional atmosphere that can assist
the negotiations.
It goes without saying that the assistance of the United States is a fundamental
condition for any progress toward resolving the conflict in the region. The friendship of
America, under the leadership of President Clinton, its generosity and the intensity of
its support for the peace process in the Middle East constitute a vital component in the
chance to achieve our goal.
I will soon leave for the United States, at the invitation of President Clinton, a
loyal friend of Israel, in order to discuss the gamut of issues facing us, first and
foremost, the renewal of the peace process on all tracks, and the fortification of the
strength and security of Israel...
Israeli society is a unique society: a fascinating mosaic of hues and opinions,
cultures and creeds -- veteran residents and new immigrants, people from different
Diasporas, religious and ultra-Orthodox and traditional and secular, Jews and Arabs and
Druze and Circassians. Together, equally, they are Israel. A society where none are better
or less good, but where, as in every human society, there are fringes of poverty and
backwardness.
There are weak sectors of hundreds of thousands of agonizing citizens who are unable,
without growth or stimulus, to maintain the rapid pace of progress. We must not rush
forward and leave them behind by the roadside.
The Government, under my leadership, is committed to waging war on the unemployment and
poverty threatening to undermine and unravel our social fabric, and to struggling toward
the strengthening of the health system and the improvement of the welfare services in the
State of Israel. We will introduce a new national order of priorities.
The most important mission which the Government will take upon itself in the social
sphere is the positioning of education as its top priority. I always viewed education as
the most correct and worthwhile long-term investment. Therefore, we will aspire to provide
the best possible education to every single child and adolescent in Israel, from
kindergarten through university.
The government will allocate resources and efforts in order to bring about a change and
breathe a new spirit into the entire education system -- by expanding the knowledge base,
fostering curiosity and directing the potential of the talents of the young generation
toward creative channels.
And to the same extent, the Government will work to education toward values, personal
morality, work ethics, social responsibility, volunteerism, assistance to fellow human
beings, justice, respect for the law and a loathing for injustice and violence.
The Government will place a special emphasis on an uncompromising struggle against the
growing violence among youth. We will not accept a situation in which parents are afraid
to send their children to schools and playgrounds.
I wish to say something to those citizens who are members of minority communities in
the State of Israel: I wholeheartedly believe in the equal value of all humankind, in
equality between people and between citizens, without distinction. The State of Israel has
not always been sufficiently wise to grant all its citizens a sense of equality and
partnership.
The disparities are great, and the sentiment of bitterness is not unjustified. I know
that you have heard innumerable slogans and promises, and I pledge today that the
Government, under my leadership, will make every effort to gradually bridge the gaps,
dissipate the alienation and provide equality for all sectors of the population in Israel.
The Rabin and Peres governments began a focussed effort to bring about this change. We
will continue along this path with renewed vigor...
Emphasizing the social aspect of Government policy is not in contradiction with a
policy of free and productive economics, free unnecessary government interference. An
economy which will act as a magnet for foreign investment, and be increasingly based on
hi-tech industries and domestic research and development which will put Israel at the
forefront of scientific and technological progress -- because there can be no healthy
society without a healthy economy, and vice versa.
The creation of 300,000 new jobs in the next four years - as I pledged in my election
campaign -- is a concrete and possible objective for reducing the shame of unemployment
and strengthening the entire economy. At the same time, this goal is contingent upon
imparting a new impetus to the economy, as a result of restored confidence in a future of
peace for the region and the country...
This government will not turn its back on any group, portion, sector or ideological
stream in Israeli society. This will be a government of constant dialogue, openness and
attentiveness, a government that will aspire a "new national consensus," but not
shirk from decisions or resign itself to paralysis and be stalemated. I know and
understand exactly where the government must head and the destination it must reach, and I
intend to lead this march to the finish line.
Ultimately, as I have pledged, if and when cardinal historic decisions are required,
the entire public will be called to take a decision, in accordance with its sovereign
will, in a referendum.
I believe that bearing responsibility together will bring the extremes closer, blunt
the contrasts in society and will require consideration, attentiveness and mutual balances
-- since it has already been said in the Torah, and about our Torah: "Its paths are
paths of pleasantness, and all its ways are ways of peace." In this way, we will be
able, together, to face the tests and decisions which await us. In this way, we will be
stronger and more united, despite the disputes and the diversity of opinion among us.
Perhaps we will become wiser, because we will be guided by shared wisdom...
Mr. Speaker, I would now like to present the composition of the new government to the
Knesset:
Ehud Barak -- Prime Minister and Defense Minister,
Dalia Itzik -- Environment Minister,
Yossi Beilin -- Justice Minister,
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer -- Communications Minister,
Shlomo Benizri - Health Minister,
Shlomo Ben-Ami - Public Security Minister,
Eli Yishai - Labor and Social Affairs Minister,
Avraham Shohat - Finance Minister,
Yitzhak Cohen - Religious Affairs Minister,
Ran Cohen - Industry and Trade Minister,
David Levy - Foreign Minister,
Yitzhak Mordechai --- Transportation Minister,
Eli Suissa - Infrastructure Minister,
Shimon Peres - Regional Cooperation Minister,
Haim Ramon -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Office,
responsible for Jerusalem,
Yossi Sarid - Education Minister,
Natan Sharansky - Interior Minister
Yitzhak Levy - Housing and Construction Minister.
The following ministries, for now, will be under the purview of the Prime Minister:
the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, the Absorption Ministry, the Tourism
Ministry and the Science Ministry
Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset,
This, for now, is the current composition of the Government. In the coming days, I will
bring before the Knesset a proposed to change the Basic Law: The Government for an
increase in the number of ministers, as required by the size of the coalition and the
composition of the Knesset.
In any form, this is the best government for the State of Israel at this time. We are
the bearers of the torch which our predecessors have transferred to us, and we assume full
responsibility for moving forward.
Today, the Government requests the confidence of the 15th Knesset in the knowledge that
the eyes of all Israelis are focused thereon, in prayer and with great hope.
Today, millions of eyes in Israel, millions of eyes of Jews around the world, and
millions of eyes around the whole world are focused on us, praying that we will know to
lead the country, with determination and a sure hand toward a new path, momentum and a new
page in the chronicles of the State of Israel.
A new page of peace in an arena which, in recent generations, has almost except pain,
bereavement and suffering. Accompanied by the blessings and concern of everyone, we embark
today on the long and arduous path. I would be most appreciative if you would express your
confidence in the Government today and wish it well and God speed."
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