In a personal letter, President Rivlin tells grandson Shai and the children of Israel on the first day of school to remember to open their hearts to new friends, and always be thirsty for more knowledge.

Why, when everyone believes education is a priority, is Israel making its parents shell out more and more for superfluous textbooks?

Chaired by MK Ze'ev Elkin, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee began its inquiry with the most senior official – Prime Minister Netanyahu.