Netanyahu Warns Against Narrow Coalition as Knesset Swearing-In Sparks Clashes
Addressing the Knesset swearing-in, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged forming a national unity government while warning against narrow coalitions and Iranian threats. The speech featured sharp clashes between Naftali Bennett and Itamar Ben Gvir.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the 26th Knesset on Tuesday during its swearing-in ceremony, marking a historic milestone as the longest-serving parliamentarian in Israel's history with 15 terms, surpassing the record held by former President Shimon Peres.
Opening his speech, Netanyahu warned that the Iranian threat remains severe and that Tehran is working to revive its nuclear program. "After we dismantled the program, they are working to renew it. Defeating the program depends on defeating the regime," he stated. He detailed the strategic achievements of the war, citing the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian leadership, and key commanders, while stressing the need to withstand upcoming international pressures regarding regional security.
Netanyahu called for the formation of a national unity government, warning against a narrow government relying on Arab parties whose ideology, he claimed, opposes the existence of a Jewish state. "We must put aside every other consideration and form a national unity government," Netanyahu said, adding that such a coalition is essential to address immense security and domestic challenges.
The speech sparked sharp political friction inside the plenum. As Netanyahu spoke, Yisrael party leader Naftali Bennett interrupted him. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confronted Bennett, shouting across the hall, "You sit with the Joint List, and you're still talking? You are a nobody, insolent." Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz also shouted at Bennett, telling him to investigate matters alongside his political allies.
Addressing the ultra-Orthodox parties, Netanyahu urged them not to join a narrow left-leaning coalition, promising to resolve the military conscription legislation and the status of Torah scholars within a broad national framework. He concluded by emphasizing that forming a unity government is the imperative of the hour to secure the nation's future.
