Netanyahu wraps up terse Knesset address focused on Iran

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem on February 23, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem on February 23, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wraps up an uncharacteristically short, direct speech during the Knesset 40-signatures debate.

He usually takes the opportunity to attack the opposition, the press and others he sees as adversaries, and delves into a range of domestic and international issues.

However, today he focuses almost entirely on Iran in his short address, repeating that it is not the time for lengthy debate, finishing with a call for unity ahead of next week’s Purim holiday, which saw the Jews of the Persian empire emerge victorious over those who sought to destroy them.

“On the eve of the festival of Purim,” he says, “we will stand together and, with God’s help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”

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