Netanyahu's Unity Call Sparks Knesset Chaos
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for a national unity government during the new Knesset's swearing-in ceremony devolved into chaos, with opposition figures interrupting and shouting. Netanyahu's speech attacked Arab parties and warned of the Iranian threat, while opposition leaders like Yair Golan and Naftali Bennett criticized his remarks and his fitness for office. The heated exchanges highlighted deep divisions within the Israeli political landscape.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for national unity during a Knesset ceremony was met with protests and shouting.
- Opposition leaders Yair Golan and Naftali Bennett walked out or interrupted Netanyahu's speech.
- Netanyahu warned of the Iranian threat and criticized potential coalition partners of the "change bloc."
- Gadi Eisenkot stated Netanyahu's speech was divisive and that he is unfit for office.
- Yair Golan accused Netanyahu of inciting against the Arab sector to stay in power.
During the swearing-in ceremony for the new Knesset on November 10, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a "government of national unity." However, his subsequent speech focused on attacks against Arab parties and negotiations between the "change bloc" and the Ra'am party, igniting a significant uproar in the plenum. Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, walked out in protest, while his party colleague Gilaad Kariv was removed for shouting from his seat. Naftali Bennett, head of the Yamina party, interrupted Netanyahu's speech multiple times, as did Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of Otzma Yehudit. Sara Netanyahu also interjected into the exchanges.
Netanyahu began by reiterating warnings about Iran's nuclear program and the existential threat it poses to Israel. He argued that the only way to counter this threat is to overthrow the Iranian regime and predicted international pressure to accept a nuclear Iran. He then proposed forming a national unity government as essential to face these challenges. The Prime Minister directly addressed leaders of the "change bloc," accusing them of not understanding the intentions of their potential partners, citing a statement by Walid al-Hawashla of Ra'am that "Jews are settlers in Tel Aviv."
Bennett interrupted Netanyahu, questioning his reliance on Qatari advisors and demanding an investigation into the October 7th events. Ben-Gvir responded to Bennett by criticizing his potential coalition with Arab parties. Sara Netanyahu also joined the fray, shouting remarks at Bennett. Following Netanyahu's speech, Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, described the Prime Minister's address as "insane, divisive, hateful, and shameful," asserting that Netanyahu is unfit to remain in office and that his continued leadership is tearing Israel apart.
Bennett commented on the conflict, stating, "This is not how unity is built." Yair Golan reacted by accusing Netanyahu of lying and inciting against the Arab sector to cling to power, predicting his imminent move to the opposition and the formation of a "government of correction and salvation."
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