New MKs address Jewish Agency Board of Governors

February 18, 2013 by Benjamin Rutland
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Four new members of the Knesset have participated in a panel on “The New Israeli Government – Challenges and Directions” at the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

The president of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Dr Danny Lamm is in Israel for the Board of Governors Conference.

 

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New members of the Knesset address The Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors in Jerusalem. In the picture MK Stav Shafir (Labor), MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), Arad Nir, Foreign editor and international commentator at Israel Channel 2 news, MK Shuli Moalem-Rafaeli ( Habayit Hayehudi) and MK Aliza Lavy (Yesh Atid)
Photo: Lior Daskal

The panel was chaired by Arad Nir, Foreign editor and international commentator at Israel Channel 2 news, and with the participation of MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), MK Stav Shafir (Labor), MK Aliza Lavy (Yesh Atid) and MK Shuli Moalem-Rafaeli ( Habayit Hayehudi).

The following are highlights from their statements:

MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz) said “A new politics is something that you can see. It isn’t something that you just talk about. The public voted for a new politics. Our commitment to our voters is that we will serve them from the opposition…Three of the four MK’s here today have come out publicly in favor of a two state solution. The Israeli voter voted for the entire package of change, not just change in one area or another. I believe that change is everywhere and if the government doesn’t rise to the challenge it will fall.”

MK Stav Shafir (Labor) said “When my generation talks about our aspirations for Israel we are told that that we are a bunch of spoiled children” She added that “If we don’t define our borders quickly, we will have a bi-national state. We will lose our Jewish identity, safety. We need to project 40 years ahead and ensure that Israel has a Jewish identity.” She said to the members of the Board of Governors: “We are a part of the same community; Israel is important to all of us, and we really need you—more than we need Obama” She also noted that “there are only 27 female members in the Knesset. This is an embarrassment. There should be 60.”

MK Aliza Lavy (Yesh Atid) said “I very much hope that all of the women in the Knesset will be able to group together to really achieve something.” She also noted that “I can’t forget Obama’s speech in Cairo. He changed our history. I am glad that he is coming to explain his positions. I would say thank you, but it took too long. He lost four years. He didn’t factor us into the equation…We have a partner and we must create a dialogue and seek peace, on behalf of our children.”

MK Shuli Moalem-Rafaeli ( Habayit Hayehudi) said “The idea of two states is bankrupt and we hope that the Prime Minister will withdraw his statements regarding the two state solution, which do not represent his party.  I would tell President Obama that we have only one land and there is room for only one state here.” She added that “I did not enter politics to become a minister of member of Knesset. I entered politics to make a change.”

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