PM: New government's top priority -- Israel's security

After endless weeks of coalition talks and many sleepless nights, the 20 ministers of Israel's new government are finally getting down to business.

On Tuesday, the ministers gathered for the traditional photograph at the President's Residence. At the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "This government has been established at a time of great challenges and opportunities. Our first challenge is to ensure the security of Israel in the face of accumulating threats around us. Radical Islam is lapping at all our borders, nearly all in the form of factions and forces led by Iran and other radical elements. At the same time, aided by the agreement proposed to it, Iran is making progress in achieving a nuclear weapon. All the enemies of Israel know that in the face of these threats, we have red lines."

Netanyahu went on to say that, as of now, Israel has been able to stay out of the turmoil sweeping through the Middle East. "We will continue to guard the security of Israel," the prime minister vowed. "The threats in the region also create opportunities. Many states around us have common interests with us, they see eye to eye with us on the dangers, and they see Israel as central partner in fending them off. We will make every effort to translate this cooperation into processes for stability and peace, including attempts to reach a responsible diplomatic settlement with the Palestinians, which will safeguard Israel's essential interests. We will continue to promote deeper ties with the U.S. administration and the American people. Even at times of disagreements, this bond is stronger than any difference of opinion."

President Reuven Rivlin said, "There are great challenges that this government must deal with from the outset, without a 100-day grace period. Previous governments did not face such challenges in the same way or with the same intensity. With regard to foreign affairs, you are required to deal with international pressure in a manner that demands endurance and the ability to make considered decisions which will not lead the State of Israel to isolation, but will preserve the red lines of Israeli diplomacy. On the domestic front, you face the urgent and crucial mission to present a budget that will provide an answer to the social and economic needs of the citizens of Israel -- from housing and employment to welfare."

Rivlin also referred to the slim majority the new government has in the Knesset. "Much noise has been made on the issue of the size of the government which was sworn in, and ostensibly relating to its legitimacy," Rivlin said. "However, in Israeli democracy, a government of 61 Knesset members is as democratic and legitimate as a government of 90 Knesset members. We must remember that the most dramatic moves in Israel's political history, including the Oslo Accords, were decided by a single vote.

"Equally today, we must respect and obey the rule of democracy. A narrow government must be, and is able to be, a good government as long as it is faithful to its internal cohesion, and to the public interests of all the citizens of Israel."

Earlier on Tuesday, the new cabinet met at Jerusalem's Israel Museum in honor of Jerusalem Day. At the start of the meeting, which was attended by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Netanyahu said, "I would like to wish all ministers that we work together successfully for the citizens of Israel. They expect no less and thus we will do."

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