ALLEGIANCE TO HAMAS? Ben Gvir Erupts as Arab MK Takes Oath in Knesset

ALLEGIANCE TO HAMAS? Ben Gvir Erupts as Arab MK Takes Oath in Knesset

A heated confrontation broke out in the Knesset on Tuesday when National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir interrupted Arab lawmaker Yousef Jabareen during the swearing-in ceremony for Israel’s 26th Knesset, openly questioning whether the Joint List chairman was pledging allegiance to the State of Israel or to the Hamas terrorist organization. The incident unfolded as Jabareen stood to take the required oath of allegiance. When he declared, “I pledge,” Ben Gvir shouted from the chamber, “To whom is he pledging allegiance? Is he pledging allegiance to Hamas?” The outburst immediately disrupted the proceedings, prompting Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to intervene and demand that lawmakers allow the ceremony to continue. Ohana warned that interruptions would not be tolerated and that any member who disregarded his instructions could be removed from the plenum. The exchange highlighted the deep political tensions between Ben Gvir and Arab lawmakers, particularly over questions of national loyalty, Palestinian nationalism, and attitudes toward Hamas. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal opening of the 26th Knesset, with newly elected lawmakers taking their oaths before beginning their parliamentary duties. Ben Gvir’s accusation was made publicly during the ceremony. No evidence was presented during the reported exchange establishing that Jabareen was pledging allegiance to Hamas. The incident came amid broader controversy surrounding the entry of Arab lawmakers into the new Knesset. Earlier Tuesday, Likud MK Tali Gottlieb denounced the swearing-in of 19 Arab legislators, describing the occasion as a “day of shame and disgrace” and accusing some of the incoming lawmakers of supporting terrorism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the role of Arab political parties on Tuesday, declaring that he saw no meaningful distinction between the objectives of the Joint List and Ra’am. The controversy unfolded against a backdrop of political uncertainty following Israel’s elections, as parties continued maneuvering over the composition of the next government and the leadership of the Knesset. Later Tuesday, Ohana announced that a vote to replace him as Knesset speaker would take place the following week after 67 lawmakers signed a request seeking the election of a new speaker. The confrontation involving Ben Gvir and Jabareen was among the most contentious moments of the new parliament’s opening proceedings, bringing the dispute over the political role of Arab parties directly into the swearing-in ceremony.