In his first official speech since announcing his entrance into politics, Yair Lapid set out Thursday his fundamental concerns for Israel, and presented suggestions for how the country could be steered in a better direction.
Three factors, said Lapid, have taken the state and "confiscated it from the public."
The first, he said, was Israel's broken regime, "who made politics corrupt and despicable." The second source, said Lapid, was that "we have been strangled by various publics that live on our account," adding that "this year crossed the red line: 50% of first grade students were haredi or Arab. If we wait 12 years, the Zionist state will crumble."
"The third thing," said Lapid, "is corruption." Lapid then referred to Israel's black market, which, he said, amounts to 25% of Israel's gross domestic product. Here, said Lapid, Israel misses out on NIS 20 billion every 20 years.
In order to change this, said the newcomer on Israel's political scene, is that the way Israel operates needs to change. "Four things need to be done," he said. Firstly, to change the methods of the regime, so that the percentage of the vote that parties need to qualify for representation in the Knesset rises to 6%, and governments can only be toppled with a majority of 66% and the prime minister must be head of the largest party. "This will cause voting for larger parties to cease to be the hostage of coalitions."
Secondly, to cancel the Tal Law and the Nahari Law, so that all Israelis learn core subjects. "We are not against them [Orthodox Jews], but we can't keep carrying them on our backs," he said, adding that no-one should try to convince him that there is something insulting about work. "Judaism sanctifies the value of work."
Thirdly, said Lapid, "we must fight the corruption of the black market and authorities."
For his fourth and final suggestion, Lapid said "engines of growth" must be created. "Hi-tech is not enough," he said, pointing at transport, small businesses, education and affordable housing.
The rising politician also expressed disgust at the way Israeli tycoons earn fortunes and request tax breaks. "We must make sure those tycoons are punished afterward by the financial markets. Big businesses shouldn't sleep at night if they have debts, exactly like small businesses."
As he drew his speech to a close, Lapid spoke of his pride and belief in the future available for Israel and its people. "I believe there is no other place in the world where we could feel good. Because after we finish moaning, we know that here there are the most amazing people in the world, and I have no intention of throwing my hands in the air and giving up on our country."
