Jerusalem, 10 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Most Arab lawmakers walked out of the Knesset plenum during the national anthem, Hatikvah, at the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset, while Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas and one Hadash MK remained inside.
The incident occurred after all 120 newly elected lawmakers had pledged allegiance to the State of Israel. As the national anthem began, Arab MKs rose from their seats and left the chamber, prompting angry reactions and a commotion among lawmakers who remained.
The walkout followed an earlier confrontation during the ceremony, when National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir interrupted Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen’s declaration of allegiance, asking, “To whom is he pledging allegiance? To Hamas?”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana intervened, warning that anyone disrupting the proceedings again would be removed without prior warning.
