by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel’s newly sworn-in 26th Knesset descended into heated exchanges Tuesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a national unity government, only to face sharp interruptions from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett over alleged Qatari connections and the unresolved questions surrounding the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The confrontation erupted during the traditional parliamentary photo gathering, where Netanyahu warned that Iran was rebuilding its nuclear threat and argued that Israel needed a broad government capable of confronting its enemies.
“The only way to permanently remove an existential threat is to bring down the ayatollah regime,” Netanyahu declared, warning that Israel would face mounting international pressure to accept a nuclear Iran.
But his appeal for unity quickly turned confrontational when he accused opposition parties of seeking to form a government dependent on Arab factions whose representatives, he argued, had expressed hostility toward Israel’s Jewish identity.
“You who want to form a government with supporters of terrorism do not understand what they really want to achieve,” Netanyahu charged.
Bennett interrupted with two pointed questions: “What about your Qatari advisers?” and “What about the October 7 investigation?”
The exchanges intensified when Netanyahu demanded a full investigation into alleged foreign interference in Israel’s recent election.
Bennett shouted back: “Why don’t you declare Qatar an enemy state?”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit, fired back at Bennett: “You want to sit with the Joint List and you’re talking?”
Democrats chairman Yair Golan walked out in protest, while fellow party member Gilad Kariv was removed from the hall following an outburst.
The confrontation came amid reports that Netanyahu confidant Natan Eshel had approached Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas about possible political cooperation, raising questions about Netanyahu’s criticism of opposition efforts to negotiate with Arab parties.
The dispute underscored the divisions facing Israel as Gadi Eisenkot attempts to assemble a governing coalition following the elections. Netanyahu remains prime minister while negotiations continue, with the future government’s composition still unresolved.
According to Reuters, Netanyahu’s bloc controls 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, while Eisenkot’s alliance holds 48 and Arab parties hold 19. Eisenkot has until December 6, with a possible extension to December 20, to form a government.
The dispute over Qatar also comes amid the continuing Qatargate investigation involving suspected financial ties between Netanyahu associates and Doha. Netanyahu has denied knowledge of wrongdoing, while Qatar has rejected allegations that it interfered in Israel’s elections.
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