The sight of the pogrom in Lod and the disturbances across the country by an incited and bloodthirsty Arab mob, injuring people, damaging property and even attacking sacred Jewish spaces is unforgivable. Tearing down the Israeli flag by Arab rioters and replacing it with the Palestinian flag is a brutal assault on shared existence in the State of Israel.

An urgent phone call today with Mudar Yunes, chair of the Forum of Arab Heads of Local Councils with a strong message regarding Arab violence in the streets of some of Israel’s mixed cities, including Lod, Ramla and others. We must not allow these sights to recur. We must not be held hostage by murderous Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, who are firing indiscriminately on Israeli citizens.

The wail of the sirens in Jerusalem a short time ago is still with us. Code Red alarms that disrupt normal daily lives in the south, right now too, are putting our dear ones in the south of the country, the Gaza envelope that envelopes our whole country, into their safe rooms. From here, I send my appreciation and thanks on behalf of all Israelis to our security forces, working constantly over the last days to ensure public order. In the north, the south, here in Jerusalem, we all, together, thank you, have faith in you, know that we can rely on you.

I understand the feelings of confusion and uncertainty, the anxiety that many people are feeling. I understand and, first and foremost, want to apologize for that. On a personal level, I ask your forgiveness for my behavior here at Beit HaNasi during the lockdown during Pesach. I apologized for it in the past, and I am doing it again today. My loneliness is no more painful than the loneliness that many of you – who were so careful to follow the word and the spirit of the instructions – experience. I also ask your forgiveness today at a national level.

I would like to begin my remarks by referring to the UN’s announcement of a blacklist of Israeli companies operating in the settlements - Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Bezek, Bank Beinleumi, Coca-Cola, Africa-Israel, Teva, Eged, Netafim, Elbit Systems, IDB, Dor Alon... Amisragas, Angel Bakeries, Arison Investments, Ashdar, Clal Industries, Café Café, Cellcom, Denya Cibus, Electra, Israel Aerospace Industries, Matrix Systems, Motorola, Nesher, Partner, Paz, Rami Levy, RE/MAX, Shikun & Binui, Shufersal, Sonol, Trima and many others.

In response to inquiries following the exit polls,

President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin will meet representatives of the parties elected to the Knesset for a round of consultations after he receives a clear picture of the results, and as soon as possible. 1/4 The president will do so in full coordination with the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, and once he has heard the position of all the factions he will take all considerations into account. 2/4