In a message marking Tisha B’Av, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled the destruction of the Temple and warned of the high cost of internal hatred and division. He said Israelis had united over the past three years to defend the country, praised the bravery of Israel’s soldiers and citizens, and asserted that their joint struggle had saved the state and produced major achievements, though significant challenges remained. Netanyahu pledged to deepen national unity by seeking to establish a broad, stable national government after the election, arguing that Israeli society was more united than political disputes suggested and declaring that while baseless hatred had brought destruction, love of Israel would bring redemption and ensure the nation’s future.
The following is the full text of the statement.
My brothers and sisters, dear citizens of Israel.
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.
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.
We showed the world that the nation of Israel is a brave nation with a brave army, a generation of heroes.
We repelled the terror of destruction and we achieved tremendous accomplishments.
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.
As Prime Minister of Israel, I intend to deepen the unity within us.
Therefore I will work to establish a broad national government, a stable government that will ensure our security and future.
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.
How do I know that?
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.
And there lies the great lesson: baseless hatred brought destruction on us, love of Israel brought us redemption.
Together, with God’s help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel.
Source: Tobias Holcman, “'We prevented the destruction of Third Temple': Netanyahu shares message on eve of Tisha B'av,” Jerusalem Post, (July 22, 2026).