Netanyahu Calls for Broad Unity Government Amidst Security Threats

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset plenum during the swearing-in ceremony for the 26th Knesset, marking a historic achievement as the longest-serving Knesset member. In his speech, Netanyahu warned of the existing Iranian threat and anticipated international pressure aimed at forcing Israel to relinquish its military gains and security zones in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Judea and Samaria. Against this backdrop, he called for the establishment of a national unity government, emphasizing it as an urgent necessity to confront these threats. Concurrently, Netanyahu sharply criticized the prospect of a narrow government relying on Arab factions, citing statements from members of Knesset from Ra'am and the Joint List. He asserted there is no difference between them in denying the right of existence of the Jewish state. Netanyahu also appealed to the Haredi factions, urging them to remain loyal to the "religious bloc" and pledging to regulate the status of yeshiva students in a conscription law, in cooperation with their spiritual leadership. During the speech, verbal altercations occurred in the plenum, with MK Naftali Bennett interrupting Netanyahu and MK Itamar Ben-Gvir responding heatedly.