President Rivlin began,“The servants of the people and of the public are the backbone on which the covenant between the citizen and the state is based. The judges of Israel are appointed public servants. They are among the highest officials in charge of the public institutions. They are public servants with a long-term responsibility, which is embedded in the protection and preservation of the basic principles of the State of Israel. They are servants of the public, who do not have to answer to any authority other than the authority of the law, as stated in the Basic Law on the Judiciary. The outgoing and incoming presidents are public servants in the most comprehensive sense of the term” and added, “They are the among the best and finest public servants the State of Israel has had. They both ascended the entire judicial ladder.”  

He continued, “More recently, there have been fears that the justices have been dealing with judicial decisions that deviate from the interpretation of the law, which lead to interference in the act of legislation, or to an illegal invasion of government activities. More than this situation attests to a new and unacceptable trend, it points to a long-standing practice of taking the core issues that on the Israeli public agenda to the steps of the court. In these same issues in which the court has decided to rule in accordance with the duty imposed upon it and in accordance with the laws by which it abides, it is indeed close to reaching the boundaries of the legislature. I have expressed my opinion more than once as a Member of the Knesset, and later as Speaker of the Knesset, about the absence of the Basic Law on Legislation from our law books. I warned of the danger of the encroachment between the authorities, of the danger in seeing ‘everything as justiciable’ and on the other hand the danger of the concept that 'everything is political’.”

The President addressed the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein , and the President of the Supreme Court, and said, “We are here today to celebrate a special day of the for the judicial system. Seated here today are the heads of the three branches of government. Prime Minister, Speaker of the Knesset, and President of the Supreme Court. I turn to you today, and from the bottom of my heart, and say to you: the disputes of the past few months, the public clash between the executive branch and the judicial branch have tested us. It is in your hands, you have the opportunity to make a serious change that will influence generations. It is in your power to work together and regulate the relations between the authorities and to anchor them in legislation. I do not mean legislation that comes from bending each other’s arms, nor out of suspicion. I am full of faith and confidence in your joint efforts to bring about proper regulation with full agreement and coordination, through mediation, and compromise.  Only then can we desist from the abominable practice of ‘throwing hot potatoes’ and declaring ultimatums and threats between one authority and another. Only thus will we be able to serve the public loyally - to strengthen the public's trust in institutions, to strengthen governance and the judicial system.” 

Also Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outgoing Supreme Court President Miriam Naor and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked spoke, with musical interludes.

Incoming Supreme Court President Esther Hayut, after the swearing in ceremony, witnessed by Supreme Court Judges, past and present, and families, addressed the over crowded room. From a poor family of Holocaust survivors, she was able to reach great the top of the Israeli judicial system. An inspirational story, not of fairy tales, but of hard work.

Israeli media outlets were on site for live broadcasts and interviews. After the singing of Hatikvah official photos are taken, while from outside the shouts of social protesters could be heard.