Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a Tisha B'Av message on Wednesday evening calling for national unity and announcing plans to form "a broad national government" Following Israel's October 27 election.
In his video address, Netanyahu stated he intended to strengthen national cohesion. "As prime minister of Israel, I intend to deepen the unity within us," He said. "Therefore, I will work to establish a broad national government, a stable government that will ensure our security and future."
He acknowledged that election-period disputes might obscure underlying consensus. "I know that during the election period there will be disputes that hinder our view of this, but I also know that we are far more united than it seems," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister attributed his confidence to witnessing Israelis unite during difficult moments. "Because I saw you at a moment of trial. Because I meet our heroic fighters. Because I saw the nation of Israel, across all its sectors, in full glory; a people who extend a helping hand to each other," He stated.
Reflecting on the destruction of the First and Second Temples, Netanyahu contrasted historical internal divisions with recent national cohesion. He referenced the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, saying: "On the eve of Tisha B'Av, we remember the destruction of the Temple. We remember the terrible price of hatred and boycotts among us. Over the past three years, with joint forces, we prevented the destruction of our national home."
Netanyahu praised Israelis for standing together during recent conflicts. "Instead of warring among brothers, we became brothers fighting shoulder to shoulder in order to repel those who seek our lives. We united forces, we fought like lions, and together we saved the State of Israel," He said.
He asserted that Israel had "repelled the terror of destruction" And achieved "tremendous accomplishments," While acknowledging ongoing challenges. "Although the work is still not finished; although many challenges still lie before us, I am certain with every fiber of my soul that we will prevail," Netanyahu said.
Drawing a lesson from Tisha B'Av, the day commemorating the destructions of both temples and other Jewish historical tragedies, Netanyahu concluded: "Baseless hatred brought destruction on us; love of Israel brought us redemption. Together, with God's help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel."