Liberman Attacks Joint List After Walkout During Anthem

In depth

Israel Beiteinu chairman, MK Avigdor Liberman, attacked the Joint List after its members walked out of the Knesset plenum during the singing of the national anthem. Liberman asked: "With them, you want to form a government?" He said the move by Joint List members raises questions about their political intentions.

Joint List members and most of Ra'am's members left the plenum during the singing of "HaTikvah." Liberman criticized the move, and it was followed by a response from Minister Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, who posted a quote from Liberman's remarks on his X account. "Avigdor, with them, you want to appoint a Knesset speaker?" Smotrich asked.

Later in the event, MK Itamar Ben-Gvir lashed out at the Joint List chairman during his swearing-in, as the storm over the walkout continues. Details of the outcome of the outburst and further developments are not yet clear.