Unity Tent Sparks Debate on National Unity Government

Dozens of visitors, including young people, couples with children, and seniors, gathered Sunday evening at the "Unity Tent" set up outside the Knesset by Likud Member of Knesset Elisha Mardan. The tent, established the previous day, calls for the formation of a broad national unity government. Among the visitors were those who stayed to converse with Mardan and others who briefly spoke with him.

The location of Mardan's tent bears remnants of past protests, including stickers against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the judicial overhaul protests, slogans from disabled veterans' demonstrations, and signs from hostage deal rallies during the war. Now, the prevailing slogan is "Unity." Six additional tents have been set up alongside Mardan's, including one belonging to Shlomo Sade, 49, from Kfar Adumim, who has been on a hunger strike since Wednesday, advocating for unity. Sade believes this is a critical moment, stating, "Now or Never," and that both sides must make concessions, suggesting Netanyahu could be second in rotation.

Throughout the day, visitors like Otniel Aharak, 18, a pre-military academy student from Kfar Saba, spent time at the tent, emphasizing the responsibility of young people to voice their desires for the country's future. Benny Peretz, a Jerusalem resident, expressed skepticism about unity, particularly if Netanyahu is not leading, and criticized Gadi Eisenkot's political acumen. Peretz echoed Netanyahu's sentiments, advocating for unity under Netanyahu's leadership, citing threats from Iran and instability in Lebanon and Gaza.

In the evening, Mardan addressed the crowd, revealing that the first unity sign he displayed was written by a fallen soldier. He explained that the word "unity" had become overused but that the soldiers' cry for unity before their deaths, and their experience of true unity during the war, was a powerful message. Mardan, who lost his legs in the war and was honored at the 26th Knesset swearing-in ceremony, urged all parties to recognize their broad common ground and work towards national unity, suggesting that even a simple acknowledgment of the possibility of unity would be a significant step. Mardan, 47, was elected to the Knesset after being placed on the Likud list by Netanyahu. He is the son of Rabbi Yaakov Mardan, a leader of Yeshivat Har Etzion, and a founder of the community of Avigil in the southern Hebron Hills and the Mar'ul unit in the IDF. After the October 7th massacre, he fought in the Gaza envelope and Gaza as a reservist. He was severely wounded in an operation in Beit Hanoun in November 2023, resulting in the amputation of both his legs. Following extensive recovery, he began lecturing nationwide and lit a torch at the 2025 Independence Day ceremony.