In inaugural speech to the Knesset, MK Gantz says “I come today to battle against the new threat to the democratic system's functioning"

During his inaugural speech to the Knesset on Monday, Blue and White Chairman MK Benny Gantz attacked Prime Minister MK Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) and the expected legislative initiatives: “After I fought against enemies who sought to erase us from the Earth, I come today to battle against the new threat to the democratic system's functioning, and legal and constitutional institutions of the state," he told the Knesset plenum.

“The number of suspicions attempted to be repressed with political agreements is evidence that the rule of law doesn't at all interest the leader of the former government and likely the next government. The amount of efforts dedicated to promoting the 'override clause' and the immunity law, in order to establish for himself a coalition of legal defense, indicates, unfortunately, that he, Netanyahu, places himself above everything else. When a prime minister appoints [someone who is faithful to him] as attorney general, and then attacks him when he performs his duty, this indicates that the person who appointed expects an obedient subject, not a professional jurist. This shows that the personal interest supersedes the national consideration."

MK Gantz said Israel “deserves humble and non-condescending leadership that is devoted wholly to the needs of the country, that serves all it citizens and not its personal needs. It deserves more than a part-time prime minister and leadership that wants to be above the law."

He pledged that his party would fight for the rule of law “in the streets, squares, neighborhoods, schools, [in the media] and in the legal arena. Otherwise, the State of Israel will find itself in the darkest days it has ever known."

MK Gantz said his party would “not give up on the effort to bring peace" and will “demand the advancement of a diplomatic process that will [lead to] a long-term solution."

“We will not stand idly by while Israeli's deterrence is eroded, while our enemies openly threaten us, and while the security of the residents of the south is pushed to the bottom of the agenda," he stated.  

Blue and White, MK Gantz added, will promote “equal and worthy" education and will work to lower the cost of living and make the purchase of homes more “attainable." The party, he vowed, will seek to bring about “unity among all the components of society, until we shall once again find the joy in 'shevet achim gam yachad.'"