JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday afternoon, April 2, participated in the ceremony to sell the State of Israel’s hametz, by virtue of his serving as Finance Minister. Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef, and Abu Ghosh resident Hussein Jabar, who purchased the country’s hametz, also attended the ceremony.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “I am always moved by this ceremony that symbolizes the continuity of our people and the revival of our state, and our aspiration for peace, security and prosperity for all Israelis and the Jewish People. Tomorrow in every Jewish home we will sit down for the Seder and we will tell our sons and daughters as we have been commanded to do for thousands of years and we will remember that in every generation there arise those who would destroy us. I would like to wish the Jewish People a happy Passover. I would like Israelis to enjoy this holiday with their families, with our great family. Happy Passover!”
Rabbi Yosef said: “First of all I would like to bless the Prime Minister who should enjoy blessings and success in all his actions. His success is our success, the success of the entire Jewish People. He should enjoy many long, pleasant and good years. Tomorrow we will all gather for the Seder. We must remember that the main precept of the Seder is for the children. ‘You shall tell your son.’ Whoever enlarges on the tale of the exodus from Egypt is worthy of praise.”
Rabbi Lau said: “I heard you two days ago, Mr. Prime Minister. You said that we are, unfortunately, reliving every year the idea that ‘In every generation there arise those who would destroy us.’ But we also certainly remember the second half of that line – ‘And the Holy One, Blessed be He, saves us from their hand.’ One month ago we celebrated Purim, in which somebody says, ‘There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples,’ and here, within a month, is our answer: We will all gather together at the Seder and recount the tradition. We will continue this tomorrow. I am certain that you will succeed in steering the ship of state in the right and proper direction and will bring us all together as one people in continuity of our tradition. We all pray that G-d assists you, that he assists our efforts, that we all enjoy health and joy, amen.”
Abu Ghosh Mayor Jabr Issa said: “I would like to take this opportunity to wish our cousins, the Jewish residents and citizens of the State of Israel, and Jews all over the world, a happy Passover. We rely on the Prime Minister and wish him success both in forming the next government and in leading the State of Israel and the people of Israel toward prosperity and success in all fields.”
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Preceding provided by the Office of Prime Minister Netanyahu