Aviv Bushinsky, who served as spokesman and adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Wednesday that he had never seen anything like Sara Netanyahu’s intervention during the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset on Tuesday.
Speaking on Radio 103FM, Bushinsky referred to the moment when B’Yachad chairman Naftali Bennett interrupted the prime minister’s speech and Sara Netanyahu shouted at him from the gallery. “I do not recall an incident of this kind at all, where the prime minister’s wife intervenes in such a manner,” he said.
Bushinsky added, “I think Naftali Bennett saved a bit of their honor. It showed perhaps a bit of Eisenkot’s lack of experience. He should have stood up immediately and said: ‘Guys, this is not the stage and this is not the place. Let’s stick to an event of blessings and raising a glass.’”
The confrontation began after Netanyahu called for an investigation into foreign influence in the elections. Bennett responded by asking about Netanyahu’s “Qatari advisers” and the October 7 investigation. Otzma Yehudit lawmakers stood up to defend the prime minister, and Sara Netanyahu shouted back at Bennett, according to reports by Ynet and N12.
Bushinsky also compared Tuesday’s address with the brief speech Netanyahu gave at the 2019 swearing-in. “In 2019 there was a short speech of six minutes in which Netanyahu spoke about unity: ‘The people have spoken, there is no decision, we must extend a hand to Benny Gantz.’ He spoke about unity, did not attack anyone, did not complain, and spoke like a democrat,” he said.
He said the atmosphere this time was entirely different. “Before the event I thought that would be his direction this time as well. But as the speech yesterday went on and on and on, and I am not part of the event and not a party to it, I felt uncomfortable. I thought about those present sitting there for more than 20 minutes listening to Netanyahu’s sermons. They came to a festive event and suddenly became a captive audience.”
Not every commentator saw it that way. On Channel 14 Tuesday night, Avi Shoshan praised Sara. He said he wanted to tip his hat to her, a woman who has stood by her husband for 30 years while absorbing constant attacks.
