Netanyahu Cites Kahana in Warning Against Government With “Terror Supporters”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invoked Yashar MK Matan Kahana on Friday, November 13, in a statement opposing a government formed with people he described as terror supporters. Netanyahu published the message on his official accounts as political leaders worked on the composition of Israel’s next government. “A government must not be formed with terror supporters!” Netanyahu wrote in Hebrew. His accompanying message said Kahana was telling the truth. In a November 10 interview at the Knesset, Kahana said Yashar wanted the broadest possible Zionist government. He invited parties that accepted its four principles: a Jewish and democratic state, the values of the Declaration of Independence, service for all, and destroying Hamas. Kahana said he was outside the intimate coalition negotiating team and trusted those conducting the talks. Kahana, whose party is led by Gadi Eisenkot, was speaking after being announced as its candidate for Knesset speaker. He described that office as a national role intended to unite Israeli citizens. Asked about relying on Arab parties’ votes for the speakership, he said he believed most Israelis wanted Netanyahu to end his service as prime minister and that voters had given Eisenkot the political mandate to form the next government.