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Netanyahu draws calls of ‘hate speech’ in the newly elected Israeli parliament
Developed over time first seen 2 hours ago
At the swearing-in of Israel’s newly elected parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged rival Gadi Eisenkot to form a unity government and accused Palestinian-led parties of seeking to destroy Israel. Political opponents condemned the remarks as divisive and hate-filled, and Eisenkot cancelled coalition talks with Netanyahu’s Likud party.
The 26th Knesset includes a record 19 members from the Palestinian-led Joint List alliance and Ra’am, following high turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 seats, and he argued that a government should not depend on the Palestinian-led parties, falsely claiming they agree that the Jewish state must be destroyed. Both parties have Jewish MPs and have called for a two-state solution.
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In short
- Netanyahu attacked Palestinian-led parties during parliament’s swearing-in.
- Opponents called the speech divisive and hate-filled.
- Eisenkot cancelled coalition talks with Likud.
How this story developed
- 4 minutes ago At the swearing-in of Israel’s newly elected parliament, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged rival Gadi Eisenkot to form a unity government and accused Palestinian-led parties of seeking to destroy Israel.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Netanyahu’s position could argue that a government should rest on a stable coalition whose members share a commitment to Israel’s continued existence as a Jewish state, and that voters are entitled to scrutinise parties’ positions on national identity and security. They might also see a unity government as a way to reduce political deadlock while avoiding dependence on parties they regard as too far apart on these questions.
The case against
Critics could argue that excluding Palestinian-led parties by portraying them as seeking Israel’s destruction misrepresents their stated positions, including support for a two-state solution, and unfairly casts their voters as outside legitimate political life. In a parliament reflecting strong turnout among Palestinian citizens, they see inclusive coalition talks and careful public language as important to equal representation and social cohesion.
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