Injured MK to Pitch Tent Near Knesset for Unity
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Member of Knesset Elisha Mardan, who lost both legs in the Swords of Iron War, announced he will set up a tent near the Knesset in Jerusalem to call for national unity. He plans to stay there day and night, regardless of weather, to represent those yearning for unity. His initiative coincides with coalition talks and Prime Minister Netanyahu's calls for a unity government, highlighting the nation's ability to unite in crisis. Mardan, who uses prosthetics, recently received widespread applause in the Knesset for taking the oath while standing.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Elisha Mardan will pitch a tent near the Knesset to call for national unity.
- Mardan lost both legs during the Swords of Iron War and uses prosthetics.
- The tent will be open to all visitors for discussion and tea.
- His action occurs amid coalition negotiations and PM Netanyahu's calls for unity.
- Mardan was recently honored in the Knesset for standing on his prosthetics.
Member of Knesset Elisha Mardan of the Likud party announced Saturday that he will set up a tent near the Knesset in Jerusalem as a public call for national unity. Mardan, who was severely wounded in the Swords of Iron War and lost both his legs, stated he decided on this step last Saturday.
"This Saturday I made a decision. I am going to Jerusalem to set up a tent near the Knesset with a call for unity," Mardan wrote on social media. "I intend to sit in the tent day and night, in the cold and rain, to express the voice of large segments of the people who constantly turn to me with a yearning for unity."
Mardan explained that since entering the Knesset, he has felt a responsibility to promote national unity. "I came to the Knesset to help this nation remain one people," he noted. "In recent years, we have seen what we are capable of when we are together, on the battlefield, on the home front, in volunteering, at home. It is time for the house of representatives to look like this too."
Mardan's remarks come amid ongoing coalition negotiations for the next government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently called for a unity government, emphasizing the nation's ability to unite in times of crisis. "This nation knows how to unite in moments of crisis, this is the hour's command, this is the will of the majority of the people," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.
Mardan clarified that the tent will be open to anyone who wishes to visit. "The tent is open to everyone. Come sit, have a hot cup of tea, and talk," he invited. "See you at the tent."
Mardan recently garnered significant attention during the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset when he took the oath while standing on his prosthetic legs, despite pain and medical difficulties. All Knesset members, except for Arab parties, stood and applauded him. Mardan was critically injured about three years ago in a tunnel explosion in northern Gaza while searching for hostages. After a lengthy rehabilitation process, he uses a wheelchair and sometimes prosthetics. He was placed by Netanyahu on the Likud list after working since his injury to unite the nation and visit the sick and wounded.
