A heated Knesset debate unfolded on Wednesday under the opposition's banner, "Complete failure in achieving war goals: returning the hostages and dismantling Hamas." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fresh from court testimony, faced sharp criticism but recounted the successes of his government through the 18 months of war since Oct. 7, 2023, and for the first time confirmed that Israel successfully eliminated the de facto Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar, who was the operations chief in the Gaza Strip and effectively took over the terrorist group after his brother was eliminated in the summer.
Video: Netanyahu in the Knesset on May 28, 2025 / Credit: Knesset Channel
"We eliminated tens of thousands of terrorists, [Hamas military wing chief] Muhammed Deif, [Hezbollah chief ] Hassan Nasrallah, [Hamas' Gaza leader who attacked Israel on Oct. 7] Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Sinwar, and seized the Rafah and Morag crossings. In the last two days, we've been executing a dramatic plan toward the complete defeat of Hamas. We're taking control of their food distribution and money machine. This is what destroys their governing capabilities. That's what we promised."
Member of Knesset Naama Lazimi accused him, saying, "While our people were being massacred, you went to get made up. In contrast, Yair Golan flew to the massacre site and saved people you abandoned,"" referring to Netanyahu's supposed actions on Oct. 7. MK Ofer Cassif was removed from the plenum podium after accusing the Israeli Defense Forces of bombing children in Gaza.
The "40 signatures" debate, marked by chaos and shouting, occurred amid the ongoing war and conscription crisis. MK Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beytenu, fiercely attacked Netanyahu, stating, "You fought to appoint Yair Golan as chief of staff, but you failed. You're beaming with joy over his remarks because it distracts from your failures." Lieberman promised, "A state inquiry commission will be established," adding, "Read my lips – you won't succeed in delaying the elections."
Lieberman further accused Netanyahu of exploiting Yair Golan's statements, saying, "I saw you celebrating, glowing with happiness. It lets you divert attention from the hostages, the looting of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and the direct US-Iran talks – where we're simply ignored." Recalling past meetings, Lieberman noted that in March 1996, after deadly attacks, Netanyahu rejected Shimon Peres' envoy Arieh Deri's attempt to delay elections, saying, "Look at those crooks."
Lieberman concluded by criticizing Netanyahu's past claims about the Arab public, stating, "You boasted you invested more in them than any Israeli government. So stop the incitement, stop the divisiveness. Your lust for power has driven you mad. You've lost it. Your legacy – you'll forever be the most failed, cynical, and terrible leader in the history of the Jewish people."
Netanyahu took the podium, responding, "I look at the opposition's debate title, 'Complete failure of the government to achieve war goals.' Have you lost your minds? Are you living on Earth or another planet?" He continued, "You spoke of zero achievements. I want to tell you what many in Israel know – in Israel's wars, never have there been so many achievements on so many fronts. On the morning of October 7, many among us feared we wouldn't recover from the heavy blow. But I'll tell you exactly what I said – just two days after the attack, I told local authority heads: We're going to change the face of the Middle East. And that's exactly what we've done."
At the end of his speech, Knesset member Gilad Kariv approached the Prime Minister with an Israeli flag map, tried to attach it to Netanyahu, but security guards pushed him away.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid responded and said: "One sentence you said caught my attention – 'Look where we were and see where we are now.' Let's ask a simple question – every Israeli citizen should ask themselves: What is my situation today? What was my situation before you began your rule? In the previous government? What is my situation now – security-wise, economically, in the country where I live?"
Lapid continued: "What did you have compared to two and a half years ago? The State of Israel was secure. The borders were secure. There were warnings – so we acted immediately. No soldier was injured. You are not the Prime Minister of Revival – you are the Prime Minister of October 7."
