Netanyahu focused on Israel's democratic roots and its friendship with the United States at the 65th anniversary of the Knesset on Tuesday. 'The US is our greatest ally, with a friendship based on shared values and a commitment to democracy and freedom,' he said. 'We shouldn't take for granted that in 1949 leaderschose democracy. This was a time of emergency and war,' he added. 'Leaders had no doubt that Israel must be a democracy, which has deep roots in the Jewish tradition.' He also mentioned the great meaning in the fact that the Knesset opened its doors to the public on Tu B'Shvat - a day symbolizing 'putting down roots in our homeland.'
