(cont.)
Dear friends, on behalf of us all, I want to thank the President of the
United States of America, Joe Biden, for standing alongside Israel during
the last operation in Gaza, “Guardian of the Walls”, and for his
longstanding commitment to the security of Israel.

President Biden said during the operation, “Until the region says,
unequivocally, they acknowledge the right of Israel to exist as an
independent Jewish state, there will be no peace”.

It is important that this message be heard, and internalized, in the Middle
East.

We greatly appreciate the support of the United States, our greatest friend.
My government will make an effort to deepen and nurture relations with our
friends in both parties – bipartisan. If there are disputes, we will manage
them with fundamental trust, and mutual respect.

My fellow Members of Knesset, in light of the ongoing turbulent debate, the
people are looking to the House. Let us maintain respectful debate. I
understand those for whom today is difficult, but friends, this is not a day
of mourning. There is no Disengagement here. There is no harm being caused
to anyone. There is a change of government in a democracy. That’s it. And I
assure it is a government that will work for the sake of all the people. We
will do all we can so that no one should have to feel afraid. We are here in
the name of good, and to work. And I say to those who intend to celebrate
tonight, don’t dance on the pain of others. We not enemies, we are one
people.

Now, hours before accepting this responsibility, I pray to God that He grant
me wisdom and understanding to lead the State of Israel.

“Heavenly Father, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel,
the first flourishing of our redemption, guard it in your abundant kindness,
spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Send forth your light and truth to
its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel.
Strengthen the hands of those who guard our holy land, grant them
deliverance, and adorn them in victory. Give peace in the land, and grant
its inhabitants eternal happiness.”

With God’s help, we will do and we will succeed. Amen.

Members of Knesset, I am now honored to present before you the government
what we have formed, in alphabetical order (in Hebrew).

Naftali Bennett – Prime Minister and Minister for Settlement Affairs
Yair Lapid – Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Alternate Prime Minister

Ministers affiliated with the Prime Minister:

Ayelet Shaked – Minister of the Interior
Gideon Sa'ar – Minister of Justice
Ze’ev Elkin – Minister of Housing and Construction, Minister of Jerusalem
and Heritage, and Minister Responsible for Government Liaison with the
Knesset
Yoaz Hendel – Minister of Communications
Yifat Shasha-Biton – Minister of Education
Matan Kahana – Minister for Religious Affairs

Ministers affiliated with the Alternate Prime Minister:

Avigdor Lieberman – Minister of Finance
Orit Farkash HaCohen – Minister of Science and Technology
Orna Barbivai – Minister of Economy
Benjamin Gantz – Minister of Defense
Hili Tropper – Minister of Culture and Sport
Hamad Amar – Minister in the Finance Ministry
Yoel Razvozov – Minister of Tourism
Meir Cohen – Minister of Labour, Welfare, and Social Services
Meirav Cohen – Minister of Social Equality
Merav Michaeli – Minister of Transport and Road Safety
Nachman Shai – Minister of Diaspora Affairs
Nitzan Horowitz – Minister of Health
Oded Forer – Minister of Agriculture and Development, and Minister of the
Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee
Issawi Frej – Minister for Regional Cooperation
Omer Bar Lev – Minister for Internal Security
Pnina Tamano Shata – Minister for Immigration and Absorption
Karine Elharrar – Minister for Energy
Tamar Zandberg – Minister for Environmental Protection

The date of the handover between the Prime Minister and the Alternate Prime
Minister is August 27, 2023.

I request, Mr. Speaker, that the Members of the Knesset express their
support for the Unity Government, so that we may begin to restore stability
and functionality to the State of Israel.

Thank you.