Netanyahu’s Knesset Speech: National Unity Needed Against Iranian Aggression
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
“Mr. Speaker,
Members of the Knesset,
Once a month we meet here. I listen attentively to your remarks, which are becoming increasingly polemical and very, very aggressive. At times, they deteriorate into a language that should not be common here. But I must tell you, I am not exactly deterred by these encounters. I don’t even dislike them; sometimes, I can even enjoy them.
I recently returned from my seventh meeting with the President of the United States since his election. In the last two and a half years, we have pushed back a threat against every single citizen of Israel – Jews and non-Jews, Haredim and secular, and everyone in between. A threat against the 10 million citizens of Israel, who faced the danger of annihilation by the Iranian enemy and its proxies.
And I say today, regarding the subject of this debate, the safeguarding of the lives of millions of Israeli citizens: Israel has never been stronger. The alliance with the US has never been tighter. This includes the relationship between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel, between myself and Donald Trump. There have never been relations like these between the IDF and the US military, between our security agencies and their security services; there has never been anything like it.
The entire world knows Israel’s strength. Leaders come to us: The Chancellor of Germany, leaders of world powers, the Prime Minister of India, a superpower of one and a half billion people, President Trump previously, and other leaders who have been here and spoken here.
So, I could come now, and I’ve prepared for this; I have points here; I could answer you in kind, but much more forcefully. I could confront you with the truth that you are trying to disguise. I could, but this is not the time for polemics. I am putting that aside. We are in complex and challenging days.
Members of the Knesset, no one knows what the day will bring. We are keeping a watchful eye; we are prepared for any scenario. I have conveyed and clarified to the Ayatollahs’ regime that if they make what might be the gravest mistake in their history and attack the State of Israel, we will respond with a force they cannot even imagine.
This is not the time for bickering. In these days, on the eve of the Purim holiday, in those days, as at this season. We must close ranks as a nation and stand shoulder to shoulder.
I am confident in our strength. I trust our commanders. I trust our male and female fighters. I trust our people, and I trust you, the citizens of Israel. We have already proven that when we stand together, we achieve greatness. On the eve of Purim, we will stand together, and with G-d’s help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”
Publish Date: 23.02.2026