Netanyahu Attacks Arab Parties, Warns Against Coalition with Their Support

During the constituent session of Israel's new parliament, Interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a sharp attack on his political opponents. He accused Arab parties of seeking Israel's destruction and warned against forming a government led by Gadi Eisenkot that would rely on their support. Netanyahu also reiterated his call for a broad national unity coalition. His speech provoked strong protests from opposition lawmakers.

Eisenkot, whose party alliance has been tasked with forming a government, reacted with outrage, stating Netanyahu's address only strengthened his conviction that the prime minister is no longer fit for office. In response, the Yashar party canceled planned talks with Likud representatives scheduled for Wednesday. Netanyahu had lost his parliamentary majority in the previous month's election, with his opponents holding 67 seats compared to his bloc's 53. However, it remains uncertain if Eisenkot can form a viable coalition, as several Zionist parties have so far refused to cooperate with Arab factions.

Netanyahu began his speech by addressing the ongoing threat from Iran, claiming Tehran is working to revive its nuclear program after two wars against the regime. He asserted that the only way to permanently eliminate this danger is by overthrowing the Ayatollah leadership. He then framed the opposing camp's considerations of cooperating with Arab lawmakers as a danger to the Jewish state, clarifying that his criticism was not directed at Arab citizens of Israel but at politicians he accused of harboring anti-Israel ideologies.

Netanyahu specifically cited remarks by Ra'am MK Yasser Hujirat in an "i24news" interview, where Hujirat discussed Hamas. Netanyahu presented Hujirat's comments as if the lawmaker viewed the terror organization as a charity, a claim Hujirat denied, stating his words were taken out of context and distorted, and that he condemns Hamas's actions. Netanyahu also drew no distinction between Ra'am and the United List, alleging both parties aim to dismantle Israel as a Jewish state, differing only on the type of Palestinian state that should replace it.

During Netanyahu's address, he was repeatedly interrupted by opposition MKs regarding two issues: alleged connections of some of his advisors to Qatar and the demand for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Democrats Chairman Yair Golan questioned Netanyahu about Qatar and the lack of an inquiry commission. MK Gilad Kariv directly asked Netanyahu about money received from Qatar. These accusations stem from Netanyahu's tenure, during which he facilitated Qatari fund transfers to Hamas-controlled Gaza. Several of his close associates are reportedly under investigation for receiving money for activities benefiting Qatar, with advisor Jonatan Urich allegedly admitting to working for Qatar and receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels.

Netanyahu also addressed ultra-Orthodox parties, warning them against aligning with the opposing camp, emphasizing the importance of the state's Jewish character and religious traditions. He presented his coalition as a more reliable partner for the Haredim, promising future legislative solutions for Torah students and a conscription law. This issue is sensitive, as the United Torah Judaism party is dissatisfied with Netanyahu's failure to secure a military service exemption for yeshiva students, which led them to withhold their recommendation for him to President Isaac Herzog. Shas, however, remains loyal to Netanyahu.

Eisenkot sharply criticized Netanyahu's speech as divisive, hateful, and shameful, accusing him of misusing a state ceremony for a political attack. He reaffirmed his intention to form a national emergency government. The United List also condemned the speech as racist and inflammatory, vowing to work towards replacing Netanyahu and his government swiftly, citing over half a million citizens desiring political change.