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."