President Shimon Peres met Thursday with Professor Manuel Trachtenberg and his team of experts, tasked by the government with devising a solution for the growing social unrest.
Prof. Trachtenberg asked for the meeting in order to apprise the president of the team's work plan.
"First, we ask for your blessing. The task at hand is not just another project by yet another team, but is a double one: We first have to listen to the voices of this protest and then we must find a way to translate it into a professional language which can be propelled into policy and hope. It is a formidable mission," Trachtenberg said.
"I cannot remember the last time any committee faced such a complex task, so your blessing and your insight are very important to us," he told the president.
- Peres and Trachtenberg (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)
The social team, Trachtenberg added, "Is facing a very tight schedule. We need to formulate a responsible – albeit rapid – response, because the public rightfully expects to see a practical change."
He added that the team's makeup reflected the need to mesh professional expertise with social sensitivity, "Both of which are crucial to our success."
Peres welcomed the committee: "This is not an ordinary committee. This is not just another patch-up committee. This committee is meant to instate a deep and comprehensive change in Israeli society. Your responsibility knows no end. It's a compelling task."
Peres reiterated his support for the social protest: "The protest is an exemplar of democracy, in that it's non-violent and non-offensive," he said.
Prof. Trachtenberg is expected to submit his findings and recommendations to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September.