Edelstein: Continuing on divisive path will lead to Israel’s destruction

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein called for national unity and a more civil tone between people who disagree, in his remarks at the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony Monday night.

“Jerusalem is the source of our nation’s power and spirit. Therefore, we must also keep Jerusalem united, but no less than that, we must keep the people of Israel united,” he said.

Edelstein spoke of the political divide, saying that not everything should be a matter of Right and Left.

“Not everyone who’s right wing is a fascist and not everyone who’s left wing is a traitor. If we continue on this unacceptable path, it will lead to divisiveness that will bring about our own destruction,” Edelstein stated.

The Knesset speaker lamented “unnecessary tensions and hatred” in the last year, saying that people yelled at one another instead of talking, and rushed to make accusations.

“From all the hate, we forgot how to love,” he said.

Edelstein called for a society that respects those who are different, shows mercy for the weak and needy, respects its traditions and imparts on to the next generation its culture, spirit, education, science and research.

“Let’s create a society that respects the elderly, the Holocaust survivors and the builders of the land, thanks to them we can celebrate our independence and be proud of our achievements,” he said. “Such a society rejects violence in acts, speech and writing; a society in which Judaism and democracy have a special status and complete one another.”