MK Elazar Stern (National Unity) sharply criticized the Haredi-Arab deal on the Basic Law: Torah Study during a Knesset plenum debate, asking: "You invited us to the masquerade ball. Who didn't oppose this bill? Ayman Odeh and Ahmad Tibi." Stern then questioned his opponents: "Who is cooperating with the Islamic Movement — us or you?"
The Knesset debate on the Basic Law: Torah Study continued with sharp exchanges between coalition and opposition lawmakers. MK Elazar Stern joined earlier opposition criticism, escalating the rhetoric by directly accusing the Arab parties of cooperating with the Islamic Movement. Stern's remarks came hours after footage showed opposition leader Yair Lapid and MK Ahmad Tibi conversing amiably before the vote, and after the Arab parties confirmed they had abstained from the preliminary vote in exchange for a coalition commitment to block MK Itamar Ben Gvir's muezzin bill, as The Zioneer reported earlier. The Basic Law, which would equate Torah study with national service and enshrine draft exemptions for yeshiva students, passed its preliminary reading 56-43.
- DevelopingDaniel Amram claims: Arab MKs vote with Likud and Haredim on Torah Study bill in exchange for blocking muezzin law
- StrongLapid and Tibi filmed chatting before Basic Law vote, opposition accused Arab parties of Haredi deal
- DevelopingJournalist Amichai Attali slams Basic Law: Torah Study as anti-Zionist after preliminary vote
- DevelopingEdelstein and Illouz vote against Torah Study Basic Law
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