MK Boaz Bismut Calls Temporary Freeze on Criminal Proceedings Against Torah Students a Vital Measure

MK Boaz Bismut, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, opened a session on Tuesday discussing a temporary freeze on criminal proceedings against Torah students. The directive was brought to the committee at the request of Defense Minister Israel Katz and Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs. Bismut strongly condemned recent harsh remarks made against the IDF Chief of Staff in Bnei Brak, emphasizing that public debate has limits and expressing support for the Chief of Staff and IDF soldiers on all fronts.

Addressing the protests and unrest related to the military draft issue, Bismut argued that the current arrest policy deepens the divide between the ultra-Orthodox community and the general public, ultimately harming efforts to increase enlistment. He stated, "This reality does not strengthen the draft, the IDF, or Israeli society." He referenced a recent visit to the Hashmonaim base with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that the vision of integrating ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the IDF is beginning to materialize.

Bismut stressed that while everyone desires more ultra-Orthodox enlistments, the key question is which policies effectively bring that goal closer. He cited a letter from the Government Secretary indicating that professionals involved in ultra-Orthodox integration believe continued arrests could harm recruitment efforts and reduce actual enlistment numbers. "The arrests create the opposite effect of what is desired," he said.

Concluding, Bismut described the temporary freeze directive as a "vital measure" to prevent further escalation of the crisis. He clarified that it is not a comprehensive solution or a final step, but a necessary temporary intervention to halt dangerous deterioration.