"This is my first speech before the Knesset plenum. Given the political chaos we are facing, it may very well be my last," said Blue and White's Tehila Friedman, in an opening statement that grabbed the attention of all those present in parliament on Wednesday.
"The speed with which we are racing toward the havoc forth elections would wreak also casts doubt on my dreams and the relevance of the plans I envision [as an MK].
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"In the midst of unprecedented health, economic, and social crisis, in the midst of a governmental crisis that has followed 18 months of political paralysis, without a state budget, and in a recession – there are those who would have us turn on each other.
"Those who try to turn us against each other want to see us open every wound, every social scar, and make it bleed again while we scorn the pain of others.
"Three times in the span of a year and a half you have tried to win, to bend, to defeat, to crush – the time has come to stop. We have to stop trying to get the better of each other. 'First Israel' cannot vanquish 'Second Israel' and 'Second Israel' cannot quash 'First Israel.' We cannot allow it to happen," she said, using the terms describing what is perceived by many at the differences between Mizrachi and Ashkenazi Jews.
"There are those who see themselves as representing the only correct path," she continued, "but there are also those who understand that the differences between us are not fleeting, that we are destined to live together and that this is our challenge.
"These are the ones with whom I seek to forge an alliance of the moderates – all forces from all sectors - who understand the challenge called 'living together.' We must find the way to take back the power from the fringe elements that are trying to drive us crazy and create a common center ground," Friedman concluded.
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