Elisha Medan sworn into Knesset, stands despite severe injuries

MK Elisha Medan of Likud, who lost both legs in Gaza combat in 2023, stood on prosthetic legs during his swearing-in to the 26th Knesset on Tuesday, receiving a standing ovation. He had earlier called for a broad national unity government.

An opinion column by Lior Ben-Ami on the swearing-in ceremony of the new Knesset. The writer describes the moving moment when Elisha Madan, who was severely wounded in Gaza and lost both his legs, slowly stood up to take the oath, as Knesset members applauded him. Ben-Ami sees this moment as a rare pause of agreement within a house that has become a symbol of division. However, he sharply criticizes members of the previous Knesset, especially Tali Gottlieb, Goldknopf, and Gideon Sa'ar, for their actions in the previous term. The writer argues that there should have been a ceremony of shame for the outgoing Knesset, and notes that the transition between terms was not sharp enough, as reflected in the outbursts of Netanyahu, Bennett, and Ben-Gvir during the ceremony.