Incoming PM Bennett Says Resuming Iran Nuclear Deal Would Be Mistake in Knesset Address

Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, Yamina Chairman Naftali Bennett told the Knesset ahead of a confidence vote on a new government under his leadership.

"Resuming a nuclear deal with Iran is a mistake that will legitimize one of the world's most violent regimes," he said.

"Israel will hold on to its complete freedom of action [on Iran]," Bennett said.

Bennett also said in his speech that Israel must remember and keep reminding the world that Israel has a right to the territories it holds. "I hope the cease-fire in the south will continue, but if Hamas will choose the way of violence against Israelis again, it will run into a wall of steel," he said.

He also thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for standing by Israel during the last violence in Gaza.

The incoming government will open a new chapter in the relationship between the state and Israel's Arab citizens, Bennett added, thanking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the role he played in this process.

"Israel's Arab citizens will be represented in the coalition by Mansour Abbas and the United Arab List," Bennett said. "I have to give the credit to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had paved the way [for this]," he added.

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The incoming prime minister also promised to address the housing needs of the Arab communities and to work on regularization of the unrecognized Bedouin towns in the southern Negev desert.

He also vowed "respect" for the ultra-Orthodox community, whose leaders aren't part of his government, promising greater investment in the community.

After his speech, Bennett outlined the makeup of the new government and the rotation agreement between himself and Yair Lapid.