Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu speaks in the Knesset garden at the Tu Bishvat tree-planting ceremony, 1999

Knesset Speaker Dan Tichon:

Gentlemen, in a few minutes, when the discussion ends, the Knesset will leave for a recess, in accordance with the decision of the House Committee, and the Fourteenth Knesset will in fact conclude its regular sessions. Our work will be done from now on through special sittings I will convene from time to time upon request, mostly by the government. I am sorry that the session comes to an end like this, but there is nothing that can be done.

I thought to say goodbye to the Knesset today. The speech is ready, but we will have to wait until it can be made possible, between the second and third reading of the State Budget.

I wish all Members of the Knesset success in the primary elections, and that they will return here to the Fifteenth Knesset, and that it will be better. We will have several other opportunities, and we will also celebrate the Knesset’s jubilee, which is today. The Knesset will hold a special sitting for the jubilee following the elections, on May 24th. It will have a festive sitting with former, current and future Knesset members.

Chief Rabbi Lau plants a tree in the Knesset garden at the Tu Bishvat tree-planting ceremony, 1999

I would like to take this opportunity and bid a small and modest farewell, and not more than that. We will see each other shortly, faster than anyone can imagine; but I know that during the primary elections it will be hectic, and so I prefer to operate the Knesset through special sittings. Thank you for all my friends who assisted me through my 18 years. Thank you.



Note: The Knesset’s 50th birthday was noted together with the opening sitting of the Fifteenth Knesset.

A stamp and memento page published by the Postal Authority in honor of the Knesset's jublilee (fiftieth) birthday, 1999