Knesset Speaker Kadish Luz:

Members of the Knesset. This evening, the Knesset will celebrate its birthday, and on Wednesday we shall dedicate the Knesset sitting in memory of Joseph Shprinzak. Following the sitting we will go to the cemetery and unveil the tombstong placed on his grave. The President of the State will speak on that occasion. We will also take part in the ceremony laying the cornerstone for an institute named for Joseph Shprinzak at the Hebrew University – the Institute for Research of Contemporary Jewry. With these mixed feelings of celebration and grief, we will hold tonight, for the first time without the presence of Shprinzak, the Knesset’s birthday.

Eleven years ago, on the 15th of Shvat, Jospeh Shprinzak declared during the first sitting of the First Knesset: “We have planted today the tree of Independent Israel.” That tree has put down roots and has yielded much fine fruit.

Over the past year, the Third Knesset ended its term with many legislative acts, including very important bills such as the Oil Pipes Franchise Law, Encouragement of Financial Investments Law, Family Law (Alimony), Families with Multiple Children Law, and more recently – the Water Law, which is equivalent in its importance to the basic laws.

The Fourth Knesset began its work two and a half months ago, spending its little time mostly in legislation.

The Knesset is rooted in the recognition of the people and has gained their esteem. It represents the democratic rule, making it into a reality. In addition to legislation and forming the budget, its discussions reflect the life of the state, in which every unusual event undergoes inquiry and receives attention. There is also concern for the problems of the Jewish people in general.

The procedures of life and work were consolidated and defined in regulations. There is still room for further improvements and adjustments, but the main task of formulating work patterns was done. There is a need for mentioning that despite contradicting opinions, as reflected sometimes in vigorous debates, friendly relations have been formed among the Knesset members. Members of the Knesset are not only legislators and statesmen, but they must set an educational model for the wider pubic and youth.

As the aggressions broke out on our northern borders, once again the people witnessed the bravery of our soldiers and mourned the loss of young lives. We have trust in our strength and we look onto our future with confidence. Our faith is large and our desires are great that peace will come to the world and to our region. We believe that the recent past will soon be renewed, and great streams of Jewish Aliyah will arrive in the country.

Let us wish ourselves that we can live up to the great responsibility bestowed upon us. Let us rejoice and bring our discussion to a higher level, express our determinations and human relations, for, as Shprinzak said, “In the Knesset’s nobility, lies the nobility for procedures of life in the state.”

Members of Knesset, I hereby invite you to a celebration held tonight at nine.

This meeting is adjourned. The next meeting will be tomorrow at 16:00.