Knesset Speaker Joseph Shprinzak:

I must close this sitting with an invitation to a celebration, for today is the 15th of Shvat – the day that the Jewish house of legislators – the Knesset – was established.

In honor of this day of the Knesset’s creation, which the Second Knesset is celebrating for the last time, as the next birthday will be celebrated by the Third Knesset – allow me to say a few words in honor of this event.

It is clear that the time for evaluating and summarizing the four years of the Second Knesset in its last year is yet to come. We still have months of existence and work; evaluations will therefore be made at the end of this Knesset’s term and most probably also during the elections to the Third Knesset.

Despite the early time for evaluation, especially on my behalf – I allow myself as the Speaker of this Knesset to make use of this opportunity and express my feelings on this Knesset’s birthday on what this nation bore on the 15th of Shvat 1949.

I am aware that there is criticism and there are certain wishes to further complete the Knesset’s work procedures. I follow and am sensitive to all that is said on this manner within and outside of this house.

However, I allow myself to say on this day, that what as born on the 15th of Shvat 1949, what we had planted on this day had taken root well and had grown in a blessed manner, for the fortification of democracy, freedom of opinion and continued cooperation among the elected representatives of Israel.

Though the constitutional role of the Knesset is delayed from time to time by debates on our political status and threats from the outside, our work remains methodical and organized. It must be noted that we have made progress in handling the main national issue – the state budget – that is presented this time in its totality and not in bits and pieces.

I feel that despite the few years of its existence, the Knesset is a worthy parliament that is good and guarantees a suitable and complete development.

This feeling is supported by evaluations of those familiar with parliamentary procedures and experienced statesmen who visit this house and following its proceedings at all times and also throughout this past year.

Even on this festive day, I must say that I am, like others, sensitive to the presence of Knesset members in plenum sittings, even those preoccupied with committee meetings. However, I must add that my attention is also drawn to the visitors’ gallery, accommodating people who follow the Knesset’s work. I am satisfied to note that the public’s interest is growing, despite information found in the newspapers. This past year we had more than 30,000 visitors to the Knesset, among them from the Diaspora, as well as a great crowd of citizens studying in seminars, in Ulpans, military personnel and great masses of youth from school and youth movements.

I give great consideration to the attendance of the public and the visitors from the Diaspora, which increases and deepens the relations of the Diaspora with the life in this state and with the Jewish house of legislators, as well as the attendence of youth – that brings for a proper civil education among the young generation.

Obviously, the quality of this education is the responsibility of the Knesset members when they discuss in the Plenum matters of the state and the people.

When I speak of youth visiting the Knesset sittings, I must point out a delightful and refreshing fact. In the elections to the Third Knesset, thousands who were around the age of 14 during the past elections have grown as citizens in an atmosphere of the development of the Jewish parliamentarism.

Members of the Knesset, I have said that I do not intend nor feel obliged at this time to conclude and evaluate the work of the Knesset. These words I have spoken are nothing but greetings at this time of holiday to the Knesset.

These times are not joyful. There are many difficulties in our lives, and we have yet to forget the feeling of mourning, but we stand here on this 15th of Shvat, and this holiday represents new planting, the New Year of the Trees. Thousands of our children are planting on this day saplings that beautify and exalt our country, as is the “planting” done in the Knesset for inserting new foundations into our lives and deepening the roots for an honest and healthy society in the State of Israel.

Today’s celebration of the Knesset’s birthday is to mark these concerns of the Knesset. Members of the Knesset are invited tonight for this celebration.