Prime Minister Bennett and Education Minister Shasha-Biton welcomed first grade pupils as they entered the schoolyard, accompanied by the shofar, and joined the pupils' first class. The Prime Minister spoke with the pupils and explained to them the importance of following the CoronaVirus rules so that the school year may proceed. The Prime Minister wished the first graders a productive year and success in their studies.

 

Following is an excerpt from Prime Minister Bennett's remarks:

 

"Together with the Education and Health ministries, we held the largest testing campaign in the history of the State of Israel. In one day, two million tests were carried out for all pupils in Israel so that we might reach this moment of the opening of the school year.

 

For me, the first day of the school year is always very moving. Yesterday, I came home a little early, around midnight, and the lights were off when I arrived, but I saw David's backpack. I checked it to make sure everything was in order. This morning, like everyone, I got up to make sandwiches. I think that we are all happy that summer vacation is finally over.

 

I would like to welcome you, the pupils of the Eli Cohen Meuchad School, and tell you something about the late Eli Cohen, a hero of Israel. What we learn from him are these words: 'And love your neighbor as you would yourself' (Leviticus 19:18). This is the greatest and most important rule in the Torah – to treat others as you would like to them to treat you.

 

We learned this year that there is another important thing, and that is livelihood. To make sure that all the people of Israel can work and earn a decent living, even during the CoronaVirus, because it is a sacred thing.

 

I pledge, as Prime Minister, that we will continue to make super-efforts so that all Israeli pupils can learn. We cannot guarantee the result, but we can guarantee 100% effort. This is what the Minister of Education, the Ministry of Health and all of us did together to reach this day.

 

Therefore, after a year of zooming, a difficult year of fading and staring in front of the screens, I want to congratulate you, the pupils of Israel, with one blessing: A year and its screens are over, a year and its experiences begins."

 

Photos: Haim Zach, Government Press Office