Netanyahu Calls for Unity Government, Cites Threat from Iran and Arab Parties

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking after the swearing-in of the new Knesset on Tuesday, issued a strong call for a national unity government, citing grave threats from Iran and internal challenges. He asserted that despite Israel's actions, Iran persists in its nuclear ambitions and seeks to destroy Israel, warning of future international pressure to accept a nuclear Iran and to retreat from Israeli achievements in Gaza, Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria, where a Palestinian state under Iranian patronage might be dictated.

Netanyahu specifically addressed Arab parties within the Knesset, questioning the notion of forming a narrow government dependent on them. He argued that some Knesset members do not recognize Hamas as a terror organization, equating their ideology to hatred of Israel and the desire to eliminate the Jewish state. He further stated that there is no significant difference between "moderate" Ra'am and the "extreme" Joint List, asserting that both factions agree that Israel, as a Jewish state, has no right to exist, differing only on whether an Islamic state like Hamas or a nationalist Palestinian state like Fatah should rise on its ruins.

During his speech, MK Yair Golan walked out of the plenum, and MK Naftali Bennett interrupted Netanyahu multiple times, questioning the investigation into the October 7th events and Qatar's role. Other MKs, including Bardugo and Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, also interjected. MK Gilad Kariv later interrupted, accusing Netanyahu of incitement and questioning his funding from Qatar.

Netanyahu also directed remarks to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, warning that promises made to them would vanish once a government with the left was formed. He urged them against supporting a narrow government, emphasizing the internal challenge of preserving Israel's Jewish identity and the need for broad agreement on the status of Torah scholars and the conscription law.

The Knesset's 26th session commenced with the swearing-in ceremony, where Knesset Secretary Dan Marzouk presided. President Isaac Herzog opened the session, calling on the Knesset to fulfill its mandate and avoid further elections, noting that nearly 80% of the public elected its members. Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana then took the gavel.