After witnessing the heckling during the Prime Minister's speech at the swearing in of the 34th government, Lapid decided not to speak but he certainly has what to say.
By JPOST.COM STAFFYair Lapid(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Yair Lapid, the leader Yesh Atid, gave up his right to speak on Thursday at the swearing in ceremony of the 34th government.After the heckling during the Prime Minister's speech and the militant statements of Isaac Herzog, Lapid approached the Knesset secretariat and gave up his right to speak.In a press release published on Friday, Lapid publicized the speech he had intended to make. The short speech opened with: "Today I am not the opposition. That fight starts tomorrow."Lapid's speech was short and to the point, and suggested that even with the differences of opinion within the government itself, the State of Israel and its success will always be more important.The speech went on to congratulate the new government and wished the new ministers luck and success in their new positions. "Despite our differences of opinion, despite our different world views, we are crossing our fingers for you. Your success is our success."Lapid emphasized that despite his decision not to join this government, he hopes the 34th government will be successful in keeping the citizens of Israel safe from terrorism and a nuclear Iran.Lapid called on the government to work towards unifying the citizens of Israel. "We must learn to live here together, and we must begin to do so today," read the speech. He concluded with, "I hereby undertake the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. Good luck to all the new ministers."
