Lapid says Bennett has shown responsibility, thanks him for friendship: ‘I love you very much’

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who will become premier next week, thanks Prime Minister Naftali Bennett “for the responsibility he is showing today, for the fact that he is putting the country before his personal interests.”

Speaking at a joint press conference in the Knesset, Lapid also thanks Bennett for his friendship.

“I want to thank you for the friendship; I love you very much,” he says.

“Our friendship was put to the test and met obstacles along the way, but we always overcame them. We showed that you can think differently, and still work together towards a common goal,” he says. “Prime Minister Bennett is younger than I am and we still have a road ahead of us together. He’s a vital Israeli leader, innovative and brave, and I have no doubt that his place is in the leadership of this country for many years to come.”

Addressing the near future, he adds: “Even if we are going to elections in a few months, the challenges we face will not wait. We need to tackle the cost of living, wage the campaign against Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, and stand against the forces threatening to turn Israel into a non-democratic country. What has happened in the past few days, what has happened here tonight, is further proof that the Israeli system is in need of serious change and major repairs. A year ago, we started the process of rebuilding, and now we’re carrying it on, and carrying it on together.”