In parting Knesset speech, Shaked warns that some Israelis considering leaving country

Outgoing Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked gives her final speech to the Knesset plenum, warning that the incoming government is alienating many Israelis.

“Over the past few days, I have heard from friends who tell me that their friends are talking about leaving the country,” says Shaked.

“You need to take this feeling among parts of the public into account,” she adds, “in particular, concerning the legislation about discrimination and racism spoken about in recent days.”

Shaked recommends that the incoming government “not deal with these issues — it only gives many people a bad feeling and harms the State of Israel. You have many challenges facing you… Deal with what is important, and not what is unimportant and sows fear and panic.”

Shaked was a member of the outgoing “change government,” but during the most recent election campaign she expressed vocal support for Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu.