Wounded War Veteran MKs Set Up Unity Tent Outside the Knesset
Wounded war veterans and MKs Elisha Madan and Itamar Itam established a protest tent near the Knesset demanding a national unity government, as coalition talks stall.
MK Elisha Madan of Likud erected a protest tent outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, announcing he will stay there day and night to demand the formation of a national unity government. Madan, who was severely wounded during the war in Gaza and lost both legs, stated that he wishes to voice the sentiments of citizens yearning for unity. MK Itamar Itam of Religious Zionism, who was also wounded in Gaza combat, announced he will join Madan in the tent until a unity government is established.
"This Shabbat I made a decision. I am heading to Jerusalem to set up a tent near the Knesset calling for unity," Madan declared. "I intend to sit in the tent day and night, in the cold and rain, to express the voice of large segments of the public who continuously reach out to me with a yearning for unity. I came to the Knesset to help this nation remain united." Madan noted that the initiative draws inspiration from the solidarity demonstrated by Israeli society throughout the war.
MK Itamar Itam, a lieutenant colonel in the reserves, echoed the call and urged other lawmakers to join the initiative. "I accepted the call of my friend and national hero, MK Elisha Madan, and I will join him in the tent until a unity government is established," Itam stated. Both Madan and Itam entered the Knesset following extensive combat service and severe injuries sustained during the military operations in Gaza.
Meanwhile, coalition negotiations continue amid deep political divisions. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of Yashar! and designated mandate-holder, is working to form a government by December 6. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Eisenkot to establish a broad national unity government without preconditions, citing regional security challenges and the Iranian threat. Eisenkot rejected the appeal, dismissing it as a political spin and insisting that Likud must accept his principles and drop extremist factions to join a government under his leadership.
