Knesset Opens 26th Session Amid War Challenges, Calls for Unity

By דודי גרליץ

Translated & summarized from JDN by baba

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Hebrew · 7 newsrooms covering

The 26th Knesset opened with Speaker Amir Ohana calling for national unity and addressing security challenges like Iran and terrorism. President Isaac Herzog signed the Presidents' Book, urging members to build a future of democracy, security, and hope. The session comes amid the ongoing war and its impact on Israeli society.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called for national unity and addressed war challenges.
President Isaac Herzog signed the Presidents' Book, urging hope and responsibility.
Ohana stressed fighting Iran's nuclear threat and destroying terror groups.
The Speaker refused cooperation with those who delegitimize Jewish presence or IDF soldiers.
The 26th Knesset session aims to change direction and strengthen national unity.

Knesset Opens 26th Session Amid War Challenges, Calls for Unity — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

The 26th Knesset convened for its opening session, with Speaker Amir Ohana addressing the national challenges and the intense wartime atmosphere of the previous Knesset. Ohana highlighted the 26th Knesset's opportunity to steer Israeli society in a new direction and strengthen national unity, drawing strength from members representing bereaved families, hostage families, and reservist soldiers.

Ohana emphasized the security missions facing the nation, including the fight against the Iranian nuclear threat and the necessity of destroying terrorist organizations. Regarding the political landscape and coalition discussions, the Speaker declared that for the future of Zionism, cooperation is impossible with those who label the Jewish people as invaders in their land or falsely accuse IDF soldiers of blood libels. He stressed that public representatives in the Knesset serve the people, not the other way around.

Concurrently, President Isaac Herzog signed the Knesset's Presidents' Book in the Speaker's office foyer. In his message, the President wrote that the future belongs to all citizens of Israel and urged Knesset members to build a reality of stable democracy, security, and hope through shared responsibility and mutual trust.