Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers of the 34th Government of
Israel arrive at the President's Residence for the Traditional Photograph
with the President; PM and President Make Remarks
(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
(Tuesday 19 May 2015 / Rosh Chodesh, 1 Sivan 5775

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ministers of the 34th Government of
Israel arrive at the President's Residence for the Traditional Photograph
with the President; PM and President Make Remarks

President Reuven Rivlin today (Tuesday), together with Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, stood for the traditional photograph at the President's
Residence with the ministers of the newly sworn-in 34th Government of
Israel.

At the beginning of the event, the President and Prime Minister delivered
brief statements, and toasted, with the ministers, the success of the new
government.

President Rivlin began by referring to the great challenges that face the
new government, "There are governments that receive a grace period of one
hundred days. However, there are great challenges that this government must
deal with from the outset, without a 100 day grace period. Previous
governments did not face such challenges in the same way or with the same
intensity. With regard to foreign affairs, you are required to deal with
international pressure in a manner that demands endurance and the ability to
make considered decisions which will not lead the State of Israel to
isolation, but will preserve the red lines of Israeli diplomacy. On the
domestic front, you face the urgent and crucial mission to present a budget
which will provide an answer to the social and economic needs of the
citizens of Israel - from housing and employment to welfare."

President Rivlin addressed the ministers and spoke of the criticism of the
size of the government. He said, "On your shoulders rests the task and the
duty to prove your ability to manage the affairs of the state with its
complexities and sensitivities, for the benefit of all citizens. Much noise
was made on the issue of the size of the government which was sworn in, and
ostensibly relating to its legitimacy. However, in Israeli democracy a
government of sixty-one Members of Knesset is as democratic and legitimate
as a government of ninety Members of Knesset. We must remember that the
most dramatic moves in Israel's political history, including the Oslo
Agreement, were decided by a single vote. Equally today, we must respect
and obey the rule of democracy. A narrow government must be, and is able to
be, a good government as long as it is faithful to its internal cohesion,
and to the public interests of all the citizens of Israel."

The President concluded by wishing the new government success, "On my own
behalf and on behalf of citizens of Israel, I want to wish success to the
Prime Minister and all the new ministers and Members of Knesset in general.
Together with all the people, I am filled with hope and prayers for your
success."

Prime Minster Netanyahu said, "Also for the fourth time, just as the first,
I am greatly moved and honored to present to you today, the ministers of the
Government of Israel. This government has been established at a time of
great challenges and opportunities. Our first challenge is to ensure the
security of Israel in the face of accumulating threats around us. Radical
Islam is lapping at all our borders, nearly all in the form of factions and
forces led by Iran and other radical elements. At the same time, aided by
the agreement proposed to it, Iran is making progress in achieving a nuclear
weapon. All the enemies of Israel know that in the face of these threats,
we have red lines.

"Until today, Mr. President, we have been successful in keeping Israel out
of the turmoil and atrocities affecting the region. We will continue to
guard the security of Israel. The threats in the region also create
opportunities. Many states around us have common interests with us, they
see eye to eye with us on the dangers, and they see Israel as central
partner in fending them off. We will make every effort to translate this
cooperation into processes for stability and peace, including attempts to
reach a responsible political settlement with the Palestinians, which will
safeguard Israel's essential interests. We will continue to promote deeper
ties with the US Administration and the American people. Even at times of
disagreements, this bond is stronger than any difference of opinion.

"Mr. President, the welfare of the citizens of Israel is our top priority.
We will work to reduce the cost of living, and the cost of housing. Already
today, at the cabinet meeting which took place this morning at the Israel
Museum, we made decisions aimed at these goals.

"The People of Israel returned to its land, and established here the State
of Israel, a Jewish and democratic state, a state which preserves the rule
of law and respects every human being. Here in our eternal capital of
Jerusalem, the Prophets of Israel embedded the eternal values of humanity,
but also embedded the eternal values of our people – to which we are
committed in each generation. I am proud to be the Prime Minister of
Israel, and I will do all in my power, together with my ministers, to honor
the mandate we have been given by the citizens of Israel. There is nothing
more valuable than that."