From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 2, 2026
‘Aren’t you ashamed?’ Lapid slams PM for snub of High Court chief at Knesset event
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accuses the government of deliberately refusing to invite Supreme Court President Isaac Amit to the Knesset’s 77th birthday and building’s 60th anniversary celebrations in order to stoke division, knowing that opposition parties would not take part as a result.
“What have you done? Is this what you wanted? Half a country? Half a people? Half a Knesset? Was that your goal? Will you not stop until you’ve completely destroyed us?” he says, addressing members of the government directly during the anniversary event.
“Do you want us to no longer live here together? For everyone to found their own nation, their own state, their own parliament, their own values?” the opposition leader asks.
“Is this what you’ve decided? To dismantle the State of Israel? Aren’t you ashamed? Mr. Prime Minister, aren’t you ashamed?” he says at one point, addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana did not invite Amit to the event, leading opposition parties to boycott the session in protest. Lapid is the only opposition member in attendance.
Lapid asserts that the government purposefully refused to invite Amit in order that opposition MKs shun the event.
“That was your goal: to make sure we wouldn’t come, so that even during the Knesset’s celebration, you could know that you had driven us out. Know that you’ve dismantled this country. Know that there is division and discord,” he continues.
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