Israel Knesset

Prime Minister's speech at the opening of the Winter session 2006–10–16

Reduce Suffering

The suffering caused to the residents of Lebanon, as well as that inflicted upon the citizens of Israel, compels us both - Prime Minister Siniora and myself - to overcome suspicion and prejudice and together find a direct channel of communication, in order to bring peace to our peoples.

Economic growth despite war.

I have already mentioned that we have many reasons to feel security and hope and to be proud of who we are.

The state of the Israeli economy is a clear manifestation of this. It is the product of a responsible fiscal policy. This year, the Israeli economy is estimated to grow at an annual rate of at least 4.6%. It is a higher rate than that of Euro-currency countries and the United States. It is an achievement that we have reached despite the military campaign in Lebanon, and despite the forecasts predicting that the fighting would impede growth. Moreover, 2006 will yield a positive balance of some $6 billion export surplus over imports- an all time high.

Foreign investment in Israel has already reached $16 billon this year, which is also a record. This year we have also gained a “vote of confidence” from the world’s largest investor, Warren Buffet, and witnessed a substantial strengthening of the shekel in comparison with the dollar. Furthermore, the State deficit is expected to be less than 2% despite the considerable growth in security expenditure following the military campaign and the heavy costs involved in rehabilitating the north.

New Deal for Minorities.

The Government of Israel is equally committed to creating a different basis for the relations with non-Jewish citizens, who are an inseparable part of the life of this country. We have been talking about this for years, but we have not done enough. The fighting in the north did not distinguish between Jews and Arabs, Druze, Circassians and Bedouins. They were all equally exposed to the same missiles and the same dangers. This equality cannot exist only in times of fighting. It must find expression in our day-to-day lives, in opportunities for quality of life, in development of infrastructures, education and employment. We will not evade our responsibility in this regard.