Knesset Speaker Ohana Warns Against Cooperation With Arab Parties
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, during the 26th Knesset's opening ceremony, warned against cooperating with Arab parties involved in political negotiations, citing their alleged slander of Israeli soldiers. President Yitzhak Herzog also addressed the new Knesset, urging members to prevent further elections. The new Knesset convened Tuesday, with Ohana taking his oath of office.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana warned against cooperating with those who spread blood libels against Israeli soldiers.
- Ohana's remarks were made amid political negotiations between the "change bloc" and Arab parties.
- President Yitzhak Herzog urged the new Knesset members to avoid repeat elections.
- The 26th Knesset convened Tuesday with a festive oath-taking ceremony.
- Ohana highlighted the challenges faced by the 25th Knesset and the opportunities for the 26th.
The 26th Knesset convened Tuesday with a festive ceremony where Speaker Amir Ohana took his oath of office in the presence of President Yitzhak Herzog. Ohana pledged to uphold loyalty to the State of Israel and to faithfully fulfill his duties in the Knesset. The ceremony included a reading from Psalms by Avi Harush, father of fallen soldier Sgt. Rif Harush, and a screening of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.
In his opening remarks, Ohana described the 25th Knesset as the most challenging and tense in Israel's history, noting it accompanied the country through a difficult war and enacted unanimous legislation for hostages and bereaved families. He also highlighted its role in hosting world leaders.
Looking ahead, Ohana stated that the 26th Knesset presents a significant opportunity to change the direction of Israeli society and foster unity. He expressed confidence that members with personal experiences of loss, injury, or captivity would guide their public service. Ohana addressed ongoing threats, including Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and the continued existence of Hamas, which he reiterated is a terrorist organization.
Crucially, Ohana issued a strong warning against cooperating with entities that slander Israeli soldiers or accuse the Jewish people of being invaders in their land, stating, "For the sake of Zionism's future, there should be no cooperation with those who spread blood libels against our fighters and call the Jewish people invaders in their land." This statement comes amid ongoing political negotiations between the "change bloc" and Arab parties regarding the formation of an alternative government.
Ohana concluded by calling for unity, emphasizing that despite differences, the eternal existence of Israel and the security of the Jewish people must be the guiding principles. He reminded lawmakers that they serve the public and are not above them.
Earlier, President Herzog urged the new Knesset members to avoid repeat elections and to build a strong, functioning state based on the resilience shown by Israeli society during crises.
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