JERUSALEM, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced the members of the newly-established 33rd government to president and lawmakers at a special Knesset ( parliament) session held on Monday.
"We have a combination of a young and fresh team along with more experienced members and this collaboration can give great worth to the Israeli citizens," Netanyahu said at the Knesset's plenum.
"We will work to drastically increase the equalizing of the burden in the Israeli society and dramatically reduce the high costs of living for the Israeli people," the prime minister said while introducing the main topics on the new government's agenda.
"We have Iran which is continuing its race to achieve nuclear capabilities. Syria is cracking up and lethal weapons poured out of it and militants in the country are trying to get their hands on it. Israel will take whatever means necessary to prevent those weapons from falling into the hands of the militant organizations, " he added.
Netanyahu also said that while Israel will work to secure the country's security interests, Israel is seeking peace and stability in the Middle East, specifically with the Palestinians.
"The new government will reach out its hand in peace with our Palestinian neighbors. Israel is willing to make a historic compromise that will end the dispute with the Palestinians once and for all," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister also mentioned the upcoming visit of U.S. President Barack Obama and said it is an opportunity for Israelis to "thank Americans" for the "deep security-strategic partnership in the past four years while they are facing heavy financial challenges."
Lawmakers also chose the Knesset's chairman of the 19th Knesset, Yuli Edelstein from the Likud-Beytenu party was voted to replace outgoing speaker Reuven Rivlin.
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