The coronavirus pandemic that continues to threaten the world's entire population has already progressed from a health crisis to a worldwide economic, social and human one.
I hear the cries of Israeli men and women as their world collapses. These wonderful people had done the most Israeli thing to do – they built thriving businesses and careers with their own hands, had dared and dreamed, fulfilled their goals and succeeded.
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President Reuven Rivlin attends a ceremony for newly graduated IDF officers
(Photo: GPO)
This crisis, unlike anything we have ever known before, demands nothing less than a paradigm shift. We know now that the virus is here to stay for the foreseeable future; we must all learn how to live with it by adhering to life-saving medical guidance as we rebuild our lives, the fabric of our society and our economy.
There is no other way for our country and others around the world to move forward.
Israel has never had to face a pandemic of such proportions, but we have had to deal with challenging crises and have emerged from them strong and triumphant.
Our challenges have toughened us, molded us into a world-renowned society that is diverse and complex, strong, creative and vibrant. It has survived to a great extent because of our unique spirit.
At this difficult hour, we all - leaders as well as all members of society - return to our core values, our social solidarity and our unanimity.
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The ministerial cabinet for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic meeting in Jerusalem
(Photo: GPO)
Who if not our Jewish and democratic country will care for members of our society who are facing painfully dire challenges and require our urgent help?
I remain confident that out unity government - formed as a response to the crisis with all sides compromising - will now provide the required reaction to the social and economic concerns of all citizens, as it did in the early stages of the pandemic by meeting the urgent need for medical supplies.
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Israelis wear face masks as they board a public bus near Tel Aviv
(Photo: Amit Huber)
But the solution will not come from our leaders alone as we search for the right path through the crisis - we the people of this country can do our share as well.
We can opt to support local industry by shopping for domestically produced goods: we can pop into our neighborhood store to prop up their business; buy bread from the local baker; have a haircut at the local barber and dine on falafel from our local food joint.
These are challenging times for Israel, but we will get through them together.
Reuven Rivlin is the president of the State of Israel