Speaking at a 40-signatures debate at the Knesset, the prime minister said that he issued a direct warning to Iran over making “the largest mistake in its history by attacking” Israel.
Israel will reply with “unimaginable” force if Iran’s Islamic regime launches an attack on Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday evening.
The meeting occured shortly before Netanyahu held a security cabinet meeting.
Speaking at a 40-signature debate at the Knesset, the prime minister said Israel was facing “very complex and challenging days,” amid ongoing tensions with Iran, and was prepared to respond to any threat.
“We are vigilant and prepared for every scenario. I have made it clear to the Ayatollah regime that if they make perhaps the gravest mistake in their history and attack Israel, we will respond with a force they cannot imagine,” he said.
The prime minister also praised Israel’s relations with the US following his recent visit to meet with US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a 40-signatures debate at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 23, 2026 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
“Today, I can say, regarding the protection of millions of Israeli citizens, Israel has never been stronger. The alliance with the US has never been closer, including between our security agencies and their intelligence services. Nothing like this has ever existed before,” he told the plenum.
“In these days, on the eve of Purim, at times like this, the people’s ranks must be tightened, standing shoulder to shoulder. I trust our commanders, our fighters. I trust our people, and I trust you, citizens of Israel,” he said.
Lapid: All differences will be set aside in Iran war
Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) sharply criticized the prime minister and his security policies during his speech responding to Netanyahu.
He also slammed the prime minister for the government’s handling of the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023, and for blocking a state commission of inquiry to investigate the massacre.
“What will define you in history is the October 7 massacre. Only the October 7 massacre. I understand the attempt to write a different history.”
“You know the truth. That’s what scares you so much. History will remember only the October 7th massacre from you,” Lapid said.
Lapid’s remarks come after the Prime Minister’s Office requested this month that the word “massacre” be removed from the title of a bill that proposes to establish a national day of commemoration for the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The change in wording in the bill has sparked outrage among bereaved families, with many accusing the government of attempting to reshape the narrative of October 7 to cover up failures.
“Part of the shock, part of the pain, is that when we look back, we cannot understand how you did not see everything that was in front of you,” Lapid said.
“How did you not see where the suitcases of money from Qatar were leading? How did you not see where the wrong, destructive policy of strengthening Hamas was leading,” he questioned.
Regarding tensions with Iran, Lapid told the plenum that there is “a decent chance that we are on the brink of a campaign.”
“If this campaign comes, and it should come, we will all put everything else aside,” he said.
“All disagreements will be frozen in deep suspension until the anger passes. As in the past, I will mobilize for Israeli advocacy and for strengthening Israel’s international standing,” Lapid added.
“I will go wherever needed, from CNN to the UK Parliament, and I will tell them: ‘You know I am the opposition leader, you know that Netanyahu and I are rivals, but Iran must be struck with full force, the Ayatollah regime must be overthrown,’” he said.
