Politicians join sing along with southern residents
Leaving politics behind for one evening, ministers gather at Kibbutz Beeri for sing along event, offer support for residents of community bordering the Gaza Strip.
Leaving behind disputes within the coalition, a number of Israel's Cabinet ministers arrived at Kibbutz Be'eri in the Eshkol Regional Council Friday to take part in a classic Israeli sing-along, manditory accordions included, hosted by the Gaza-border area community,
Finance Minister Yair Lapid took the stage to sing "Shir Shel Ahrei Milhama" (Song That Follows the War), while Justice Minister Tzipi Livni sang Prahim Ba'Kane (Flowers in a Gun's Barrel) accompanied by Minister Ya'akov Peri on the trumpet. Both songs, especially the latter, are considered songs of peace.
Against the backdrop of the controversies surrounding the 2015 budget and criticism expressed by southern residents regarding the conduct of the government throughout Operation Protective Edge, the ministers put aside the politics and joined in song with the 1,500 attendees present at the event.
"Many searched for a victory picture throughout the war. This is the greatest victory picture possible," Lapid said on Friday.
The organizers described the event as a success. "This is an event that happens once a year, but this time it occurred right after the war, practically a day after," said Ayelet Goddard, one of the organizers.
"It was above and beyond what I expected, there was a lot of joy involved. The politicians were also present, but they weren't the most important thing."
Goddard further said that she believes the ministers simply wanted to be with the residents and have a happy evening together, adding that the event "was much more intimate without millions of security guards around."
Moran Azulay contributed to this report
