First-time Knesset members Izhar Shay (Blue and White) and Tal Rousso (Labor) delivered their inaugural speeches in the Knesset plenum on Monday and presented the issues they plan to advance in parliament.
MK Shay said he came to the Knesset to “do good” and “seek peace,” adding “I will always remember that is not enough to ask for peace; we are commanded to pursue it as well. Peace within us, peace between us all, peace between us and our neighbors. In essence, this is my mission in Knesset Yisrael.”
MK Shay told the plenum that in parliament he will represent Israel’s teenagers, volunteers “and the people of Israel’s high-tech, whose job is to help maintain Israel’s resilience as the nation of innovation.” He mentioned that in his 30 years in high-tech, he saw thousands of entrepreneurs “build the Israeli start-up nation with their own hands.”
“I am here to fight for equal opportunity in employment, education and life in general for every citizen of the State of Israel, be it in the center or the periphery, without any distinction based on social background, gender, age, religion, nationality, ethnic origin or any other background,” he stated in his speech.
MK Shay noted that he and his family have tremendous respect for the Jewish religion and tradition. “We are very proud Jews who have complete faith in our path,” he said. “I am here to promote mutual respect and tolerance between all believers, members of all the sects, all the movements; between the religions, between human beings.”
MK Rousso said, “What makes a person a good and worthy leader? Humility, derech eretz and love of mankind. One can rule with force, legislate laws, sow fear and dread with the power of authority. But a good leader will want his people to follow him out of a sense of security, not fear. Whoever leads people with security also has the capacity to recognize the weak and those who need another opportunity. A strong society is measured by the level of solidarity it is able to display towards its weaker members, its ability to narrow gaps and view human diversity a something strong and inspirational. Finally, one cannot speak of leadership without personal integrity, uprightness and setting a personal example.”
“When I [was released from the army], I thought I had paid my debt to the country and that the time had come to, as they say, [look after my own interests]. But wherever I went I found rifts and tears, the social solidarity had dissipated, and in its place came a cynical, coarse and divisive discourse. From every direction I sensed the threat on our resilience and future. So I did what I know best: I enlisted again. I joined the Labor Party, my ideological home since [the beginning of my youth]. I was warned. I was told politics would change me. Thankfully, I am not infected with cynicism, and I promise you – not only will politics not change me, I will work to change it!”
“I have come here to be the gatekeeper of democracy, to accept the will of the majority and, equally, to safeguard the rights of the minority.” MK Rousso continued. “I am here to propose a different discourse; a discourse which is not condescending or harsh. Even if there are disagreements between us – and it is good and even healthy that [such disagreements] exist – even when the messages are sharp and critical, they must be said through dialogue which is respectful and unifying. I am a man of action, not so much of words. Therefore, I pledge to you here today to set a personal example and serve you loyally.”
