PM Netanyahu
Photo: AFP
Signs point to PM Netanyahu attending torch lighting ceremony
While PM Netanyahu will apparently attend torch lighting ceremony, it remained unclear whether he will speak there; decision to attend preceded by back-and-forth between Culture Minister Regev and Knesset Speaker Edelstein, who threatened to boycott ceremony if PM was there.
Estimates say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to attend the traditional torch lighting ceremony for Israel's 70th Independence Day, following an acrimonious public spat
between Culture Minister Miri Regev and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, with the former wishing for the premier to attend along with President Reuven Rivlin and the latter threatening to boycott the ceremony if that happens.
While Netanyahu is expected to attend, it remains unclear whether he will speak at the ceremony.
Earlier this week, Culture Minister Regev announced she was moving forward with plans to incorporate speeches by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Rivlin into the ceremony.
PM Netanyahu will likely attend the torch lighting ceremony at Israel's 70th Independence Day (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
At a press conference she held at her ministry, she also commented on the Knesset speaker's threats. "I am solely responsible for the torch lighting ceremony, not the speaker," she stated.
A message on behalf of Edelstein, meanwhile, said, "Yuli Edelstein's stance remains unchanged."
After delineating her plans for the country's momentous 70th Independence Day, Regev was asked about the quarrel with Speaker Edelstein. "I tried to refrain from speaking about anything going on in that regard," she said, before launching into an attack on Edelstein.
"I'm disappointed with the Knesset speaker's conduct. With his statements and conduct, he has harmed the Knesset and government's stateliness," she accused.
Culture Minister Regev (L) has been waging a public struggle with Knesset Speaker Edelstein over the PM's attendance (Photos: Motti Kimchi, Gil Yohanan)
Honduran president's attendance may have paved way for PM to attend as well
Earlier, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has confirmed that he will attend Israel's torch lighting ceremony. According to protocol, the presence of a foreign head of state at an official state ceremony obligates the attendance of the prime minister.
Hernández, who said that his Central American country would always stand by Israel's side, will light a torch on behalf of the Center for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), marking the first time ever in the history of the ceremony that the head of another state has lit a torch.
Minister Regev confirmed that a MFAIC delegate would participate in the ceremony together with the Honduran president, who graduated from the organization in 1992.
Hernández began his diplomatic career after completing a social leadership course at the MFAIC that year and was the first graduate who eventually became a head of state.
PM Netanyahu (L) with Honduran President Hernández, whose attendance in the torch lighting ceremony likely paved the way for the PM's own participation (Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO)
The MFAIC was founded as the official aid arm of the State of Israel and to the present day it has trained almost 300,000 cadets from some 140 developing countries in fields in which Israel is known to excel, such as agriculture, education, medicine, empowering women and preparing for emergencies.
"I welcome the Honduran president. I am happy and proud that the Honduran president, a graduate of the MFAIC course, will be coming to the ceremony and will be accompanied by the torch-light on behalf of the Foreign Ministry," Regev said.
"The MFAIC is the bearer of Israel's message of 'Tikkun olam' (healing the world) and brings with it to every place around the globe, in times of stress and normality, the wisdom and knowledge that exists in Israel in order to make the entire world a better place," she added.
"Strengthening the good in the world is a goal for the State of Israel and I am happy that the center will carry a torch at Israel's 70th Independence Day ceremony," the minister concluded.
