Netanyahu Visits Arab Sector School for School Year Opening
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Education Minister Naftali Bennett opened the 2016-17 school year at an Arab sector public school in northern Israel called Tamra Haemek.
Some 2.2 million Israeli children started back to school on Thursday. Israeli schools open on September 1 each year regardless of the day (unless it's the Sabbath).
Netanyahu and Bennett were welcomed by about 200 children in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
"Hello to you all. Hello first grade. I remember when I came to first grade; I was very excited. It is very exciting. 'Welcome first grade' was written on the blackboard. It took me a little while to be able to read the words," Netanyahu told the children.
Netanyahu encouraged the children to learn and to be good and listen to their parents and teachers.
"I want you to listen to me because I want you to learn – learn to write, learn to read, learn Hebrew, Arabic and English," Netanyahu said.
"I want you to learn mathematics," he continued. "I want you to learn science. I want you to learn history – history of the Jewish people, the history of your public. I want you to learn the truth, and the truth says that we were destined to live together."
"I want you to be doctors, scientists and writers, and be whatever you want to – and are able to – be," he added. "I want you to be loyal citizens, integrated into the State of Israel; this is your state."
