Speaker says ‘polarized’ Knesset had hatred that ‘reached new heights’

Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy says that the now-disbanded 24th Knesset was “polarized,” and hatred within it “reached new heights.”

“This Knesset was a very complex Knesset. A polarized Knesset that operated during a change of government, in which an opposition became a coalition and a coalition became an opposition,” Levy says to the plenum, moments after the Knesset voted to disperse itself.

“Unfortunately, the abusive discourse and hatred have also reached heights that we did not know in this house,” the speaker adds.

Levy also mentions successes led by the coalition, including that the Knesset passed a budget after three years of having failed to do so, as well as “countless important laws for the public good.”

In addition, the Knesset managed the coronavirus pandemic and returned to functioning after “prolonged paralysis” owing to four elections in the span of two years, he says.

“I hope that we will learn from the mistakes of the 24th Knesset and learn to manage our disputes in a matter-of-fact and proper manner in the next Knesset. We must not continue on this path that could dismantle the Knesset and our ability to lead the country,” Levy adds.

He then thanks the Knesset’s staff and lawmakers.