"The State of Israel, together with the rest of the world, has contended with a health and economic crisis of unprecedented historic proportions due to the spread of the coronavirus, and on the basis of which the country's national unity and emergency conciliation government was formed," according to the 35th government's basic guidelines, which were published on Wednesday night.
The unity government. Israel's first since the mid-1980s, is slated to be sworn in on Thursday night.
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The new government's guidelines are as follows:
"The Israeli government will establish an emergency cabinet to handle all matters pertaining to the coronavirus. This cabinet will consist of all the necessary functions, both in terms of the socio-economic and medical aspects of the pandemic. The new government will focus, in the first phase, on the necessary actions to eradicate the virus, including procurement of the pertinent equipment, coordination between the various bodies, and strengthening the public healthcare system during the emergency period and in general. The government will spearhead a plan to extricate the country from the deep economic crisis, will build and approve a national budget compatible with the challenges posed by the pandemic.
"The plan will include responses to boost employment and provide support for businesses, self-employed citizens, and the third sector. The government will cast a socio-economic security net for all the country's citizens and formulate a plan to treat specific populations in particular economic and social distress. The government will endeavor to reach these goals through strengthening the economy by accelerating workforce productivity, encouraging investment, removing regulatory and bureaucratic obstacles, advancing reforms to increase competition, and preserving the fiscal framework.
"Additionally, and in the belief that the Jewish people have an inalienable right to a sovereign state in the Land of Israel, the national and historic homeland of the Jewish people, the government will address all matters pertaining to the peace, defense, and prosperity of Israel. Among others, in the following areas:
"The government will bolster national security, strive for peace, ensure the peace and safety of all citizens, act with determination to sever any threat to the State of Israel and its residents and work to continuously enhance the sense of personal security of every citizen. The government will endeavor to minimize the social gaps in Israel and work to foster equality of opportunity for every citizen in Israel regardless of ethnicity, gender, and place of birth. The government will take action to bolster the economy, increase productivity, encourage investment in the Israeli economy, and invigorate competition to accelerate growth.
"The government will work on a fundamental and practical level to bridge the divides between all segments of the nation and state and operate within the ideal of national conciliation; to that end, the conciliation cabinet will be established to concentrate all activity in this regard. The government will work to preserve the country's Jewish and democratic character.
"The government will ensure, through a bond to the heritage of Israel, to protect the Jewish character of the country, and will respect the religions and traditions [of all citizens] in accordance with the Declaration of Independence. The government will put an emphasis on matters of immigration and absorption and will vigorously endeavor to enhance immigration from all corners of the globe and the successful absorption of immigrants. The government will work to strengthen the periphery, the Negev, the Galilee, and communities all across the country. The government will strive toward stately conduct, dialogue and action, uphold the law, honor respect and unify all sectors of Israeli society, even in times of dispute."
