Lieberman and Ben Gvir Slam Arab Lawmakers Over Knesset Walkout
Avigdor Lieberman criticized Arab lawmakers for boycotting the national anthem during the 26th Knesset swearing-in, as tensions flared over potential parliamentary cooperation.
A political storm erupted on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset, as Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman lashed out at Arab lawmakers who walked out of the plenum during the national anthem.
Lieberman published a video of the incident on X, directing a sharp question at his partners in the change bloc: "Is that who you want to form a government with?". The incident occurred near the end of the festive swearing-in ceremony, when members of the Joint List, excluding Ra'am Chairman Mansour Abbas, left the hall before the singing of Hatikvah. Abbas notably chose to remain in the hall during the anthem.
Tensions were already high earlier in the ceremony. During the oath-taking of Joint List MK Yousef Jabareen, who declared "I pledge", National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir interrupted him, shouting: "Who is he pledging to? To Hamas?". Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana intervened, warning lawmakers: "We are in the middle of oath-taking. The next person who disrupts will be removed without a prior warning".
Jabareen later responded to Lieberman's attack, stating: "I pledge to oust the Kahanist Ben Gvir from power as soon as possible". Lieberman has repeatedly stressed that he will not support a government relying on Ra'am or the Joint List. However, the change bloc is advancing a parliamentary maneuver alongside the Arab factions to replace Knesset Speaker Ohana with Matan Kahana, having gathered 67 signatures including those of Arab MKs, highlighting ongoing political dilemmas regarding future coalition arrangements.
