Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 6, 2018 - The Knesset and Israel 70th Anniversary were celebrated at the annual Knesset gathering for Ambassadors to Israel, held on February 6, 2018. The luncheon and speeches were held in the Knesset Hall featuring photos of Israel Prize winners.
The Speaker of the Knesset MK Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, opened his remarks mentioning Israeli teacher, Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal z"l, 29, who was murdered in a terrorist stabbing attack outside of Ariel on February 5. Edelstein represented the Israeli government at the funeral in the morning, speaking to the mourners, before returning to the Knesset to join the Ambassadors.
The Knesset International Affairs Division has expanded its role in parliamentary diplomacy. In 2017, the Knesset hosted 138 delegations, seven were formal visits by heads of parliaments, and sent 76 official delegations overseas.
After his speech to the Ambassadors, detailing Israeli diplomatic outreach, Edelstein asked for questions. However, no hands were raised, there were no questions from the diplomats.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Avi Dichter spoke on security issues - past, present and future. According to Dichter, Iran's vision is "to be owner and runner of Mecca and Medina," even if they have to wait decades.
"Israel is a small country of less than 9 million people, where 8.5 million are chief of staff, but there is only one Prime Minister, one Minister of Defense, and one Chief of Staff in IDF." Dichter added, he never felt Israel to be under existential threat, but for enemies to build nuclear capabilities, that is "not going to happen."
Seven years ago the Middle East was stable, not any more. Arab countries are busy with themselves.
From his experiences in the IDF and Shin Bet, Dichter has inside information on many security situations. One story he shared with the Ambassadors was from July 1, 1994, in the Sinai, when things were "going wrong." Yasser Arafat was seen riding into the Gaza Strip, but appeared much taller than the last time. It turned out the PLO convoy was smuggling in four terrorists, and Arafat was sitting on one.
Dichter ended his remarks mentioning the Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists. Carlos the Jackal, sentenced to 67 life sentences, if he had been under PA, would have received 3 million shekels after 15 years in jail. Under PA law, 12,000 shekels goes to murderers per month, while the average salary for a PA policeman is 3-4,000 shekels. Further, since the murderer of Ben-Gal is an Israeli Arab, he would receive an additional 500 shekel per month over the 12,000.
The Leader of the Opposition, MK Isaac Herzog was the concluding speaker.
US Ambassador Daniel Friedman was seated with Dichter, Edelstein and the Ambassador from Japan. The United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union, India, Turkey, China, Australia, France, Australia, Russia, and many African countries were among the seventy countries represented at the Knesset.
