Newly appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely delivered a speech Thursday at a Foreign Ministry reception where she made clear her vision for Israel’s future. 

“The most important motto the Transportation Ministry has bequeathed to the public in recent years is: ‘on the road, don’t be right, be smart,'” Hotovely stated, referencing her previous position as Deputy Transportation Minister. 

“For too long,” she stressed, “Israel’s foreign policy has been conducted in the same manner. We need to explain why we are right.”

Hotovely is likely referring to Israel’s oft-used strategy of deflecting international pressure over policies related to the Palestinians with appeasing statements and actions. 

Concluding her speech, Hotovely emphasized that she would fight to return the Foreign Ministry to its former glory as the spearhead of Israeli diplomacy as well work against the trend of privatization in Foreign Ministry services. 

The Deputy Foreign Minister has already become quite vocal in her new role, telling visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende on Wednesday that there is a consensus among Israelis that Jerusalem must remain united. 

In the meeting, she also voiced opposition to recent Palestinian measures to achieve statehood, stating Europe’s support was critical in promoting dialogue instead of unilateral steps.