Netanyahu faces opposition criticism in special Knesset session

Opposition MKs take turns criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu as part of a special Knesset plenum session.

The session on “the shocking failure of Netanyahu and the government in dealing with the coronavirus crises” was called after lawmakers gathered the necessary 40 signatures requiring the prime minister to attend.

Leading off, Meretz chief Nitzan Horowitz says Netanyahu’s continued rule will bring “disaster” upon Israel and lays out three “indictments” against the prime minister over his handling over the coronavirus, in a riff on the three graft cases the premier is facing.

“Abandoning the State of Israel to the coronavirus, corruption and persecution of the law enforcement system, and incitement, division and an effort to suppress legitimate protests,” Horowitz says.

Yamina leader Naftali Bennett accuses Netanyahu of ignoring his requests to discuss plans to tackle the pandemic.

“All these entreaties weren’t political. I have no interest in entering the government, but I want to help,” he says.

MK Avigdor Liberman, head of Yisrael Beytenu, accuses Netanyahu of branding any criticism of his government “incitement” and quotes a Knesset speech the prime minister made in 1995.

“An atmosphere of silencing political rivals is a true danger to every free society,” Liberman says.