Knesset's 25th Term Marked by Disgraceful Conduct and Unprecedented Incidents

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The 25th Knesset term was marked by widespread misconduct, including personal attacks, harassment, and attempts to undermine democratic institutions. Key incidents involved MKs documenting their votes, a minister facing rape allegations chairing a committee, and a minister confronting Arab MKs. The term also saw the Knesset Speaker refuse to invite the Supreme Court President to a session, and a US president controversially urging a pardon for the prime minister. Families of hostages reportedly faced humiliation.

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The 25th Knesset term was marred by unprecedented misconduct and a decline in decorum.
MKs were accused of documenting votes, harassing women, and engaging in personal attacks.
A minister facing rape allegations chaired a committee, and a minister confronted Arab MKs.
The Knesset Speaker's actions and rhetoric were criticized for undermining institutions.
US President Donald Trump controversially urged a pardon for the prime minister.
Families of hostages reportedly faced humiliation and were labeled as opposition.

The 25th Knesset term was characterized by deeply problematic behavior among its members, exacerbated by a coalition including a prime minister facing criminal charges and a far-right party. The October 7th massacre and the subsequent war further intensified tensions, leading to a noticeable decline in decorum, particularly towards Arab MKs. The article highlights several instances of misconduct, including MKs from Likud encouraging the documentation of their votes to prove allegiance, a practice defended by then-Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. The appointment of MK Hanoch Milvitzky as chairman of the Economics Committee, despite an ongoing rape investigation, was deemed a low point, with Milvitzky accused of repeatedly harassing women during committee meetings. Tensions flared when National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir confronted Arab MKs, leading to an attempt by Milvitzky to physically assault them, which was prevented by Knesset guards. MK Tali Gottlieb is described as a source of 'Gottlieb terror' for her frequent disruptions of speakers, especially Arab MKs. The Knesset Speaker's refusal to invite the Supreme Court President to a celebratory session was seen as part of a government campaign to delegitimize the judiciary, prompting an opposition boycott. The discourse in the plenum reportedly reached unprecedented lows, with ministers like Maoz Golan criticized for losing control. Coalition members are accused of bullying opposition MKs in committees and the plenum, disregarding regulations and ethical guidelines. The presence of a "Kahanist" party in the government was linked to a rise in extremist and racist rhetoric, exemplified by MK Nissim Vaturi's declaration that "Kahane was right in many things." The article also recounts a controversial moment when US President Donald Trump, speaking in the Knesset after the war and hostage release, urged President Isaac Herzog to pardon the prime minister. The politicization of the hostage issue is also cited as a sign of societal decline, with families of hostages reportedly facing humiliation and being labeled as opposition members. Specific incidents include Danny Algratt, brother of a hostage, being forcibly removed from a committee meeting after confronting Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and MK Yuli Edelstein's alleged harsh remark to a bereaved relative.