Regev: Independence Day ceremony to include PM, president
Despite criticism from Knesset Speaker Edelstein, who is traditionally the only one to speak at the annual torch-lighting ceremony, Culture Minister Regev says she is determined to include speeches by PM Netanyahu and President Rivlin; the president, however, does not plan on attending the ceremony or speaking.
However, a political official who recently spoke to the president said Rivlin "doesn't intend to arrive and speak at the ceremony, even if he is invited."
"He respects the Knesset, which he headed in the past, and understands the importance of preserving the ceremony's protocols in their current version," the source said.
Initiatives to include a speech by the prime minister at the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony were raised when Rivlin was the speaker of the Knesset as well, and even then he opposed such changes.
Speaking at a press conference presenting the plans for the celebrations of Israel's 70th year, Regev took a jab at Edelstein, declaring that "I'm the only one responsible for the torch-light ceremony, not the Knesset speaker."
"I'm disappointed by the Knesset speaker's conduct. In his comments and behavior, he undermines the stateliness of the Knesset and the government," she charged.
Traditionally, only the Knesset speaker makes remarks at the torch-lighting ceremony on the eve of Independence Day, while the prime minister and the president speak in events the next day.
"I decided I won't have two big events. There'll be one big event, where the president, the Knesset speaker, the prime minister and a senior world leader who attends will all speak. I brought this proposal to the Ceremonies and Symbols Committee, and (ministers) Ayoob Kara, Ofir Akunis and myself all voted in favor," Regev explained.
Revealing the plans for Israel's 70th Independence Day celebrations, Regev said the tagline for the events will be "There's something to be proud of."
"A young country with so many achievements in the fields of economics, health, security and agriculture... There's no one topic we can't be proud of, so we thought the theme of 'There's something to be proud of' brings together the entire Israeli society, what we've done here in 70 years," Regev explained.
The culture minister said Israel's Independence Day events will last 70 hours, starting with the torch-lighting ceremony. "These events are all meant to allow everyone to be happy and proud of the achievements of Israeli society. The events will be open to the general public and free," she said.
Regev said the events will feature artists of all genres and ages, with particular reverence given to veteran artists. The content of the events will also be from a variety of western and eastern cultures. "It won't just be Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Haifa, but also the periphery, Judea and Samaria, Haredi and Arab societies," she explained.
There will also be a big party held along 70 kilometers of beaches in Tiberias, Nahariya, Kiryat Yam, Acre, Hadera, Bat Yam and Ashkelon. "You must have noticed... there's no Tel Aviv, no Netanya and no Haifa. We intentionally chose cities we've never held Independence Day parties at," Regev said.
