Following the rebellion in the vote on the Basic Law: Torah Study, Smotrich removes MK Solomon from all committees

In response to the rebellion in the vote on the Basic Law: Torah Study, Smotrich removes MK Solomon from all committees. The chairman of the Religious Zionism party announced a harsh sanction against the MK from his party, after Solomon acted against the faction’s decision and voted against the Basic Law: Torah Study. Religious Zionism said, “He did not inform מראש that he intended to vote against, surprised all the faction members and severely damaged their trust.” Solomon responded, “I cannot lie to myself and vote for a law that says there is no need to combine Torah and army service.”

In addition to Solomon, three other coalition members voted against the law, which was ultimately approved. Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich decided to remove MK Moshe Solomon from all the committees in the Knesset on which he serves, following his vote against the Basic Law: Torah Study on Wednesday. In a statement issued by the party, it said: “Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich decided to remove MK Moshe Solomon from all Knesset committees on which he serves on behalf of the faction, מתוך ההבנה that anyone who is not committed to the faction’s decisions and does not act with transparency and integrity with his colleagues cannot represent its position in Knesset committees.”

Earlier, it was stated that at a Religious Zionism faction meeting, the party’s position on the law was discussed, and at the end of the discussion a “clear decision” was reached, with Solomon’s agreement, to make support for the law conditional on removing the comparison between Torah scholars and those serving in the military. “Accordingly, the faction’s demand was presented to the coalition, and it was accepted. The law was amended in line with Religious Zionism’s position, and the condition set by the faction was approved as part of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. MK Salomon was aware of and involved in the entire process and at no stage raised any objection or intention to vote against.”

The party attacked him: “Despite this, MK Moshe Solomon chose to act on his own, contrary to the faction’s decision. He did not inform his colleagues in advance that he intended to vote against, and surprised all the faction members with his conduct, thereby severely damaging their trust. Such behavior is unacceptable and cannot exist within proper faction work, which is based on shared responsibility, trust and faction discipline. MK Solomon was supposed to vote according to the faction’s position and, at the very least, inform the party chairman or the faction chairman in advance of his intention to vote against and coordinate the move with them.”

MK Solomon responded on X: “I have learned that the Religious Zionism faction and the faction chairman decided to remove me from membership in all Knesset committees. I am hurt by the decision, I am part of Religious Zionism and will remain part of Religious Zionism. In my view, and as I have said everywhere since the outbreak of the war, I represent the values of Religious Zionism and those who sent us. Of course, there are disagreements. Whether in legal interpretation, political conduct or public decisions. But I am sure that my friends in Religious Zionism would not want the law to come up for a vote, and are sure they represent our public.”

“I am loyal to the faction and to joint decisions. But at the same time I am a public representative,” Solomon continued. “I cannot lie to myself. I cannot look into the eyes of the bereaved families from our public, Religious Zionism, and vote for a law that says there is no need to combine Torah and army service. When, throughout the war, I accompanied dozens of students and graduates of hesder yeshivot, advanced yeshivot and preparatory academies to burial, I promised myself that I would not lend a hand to such a moral and eternal injustice. If the price I have to pay is this, then this will be the price. I accept the party chairman’s decision, and hope that I will be able to change the faction’s position later.”

It should be noted that MK Solomon is one of the four coalition members who voted today against the Basic Law: Torah Study bill. In addition to Solomon, Knesset members Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz from Likud, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel voted against the proposal. In addition, opposition MKs voted against the bill, except for the Arab MKs who, according to the opposition, struck a deal with the ultra-Orthodox.