Yair Lapid Condemns Haredi Law Proposal, Accuses Parties of Indifference to Children's Deaths

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid sharply criticized the proposed "Basic Law: Torah Study" during his speech at the Herzliya Conference hosted by the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University on Wednesday. Lapid described the bill, which was advancing to its first reading in the Knesset, as a divisive message from Haredi politicians to Israeli society, stating, "We are not brothers, we have nothing in common."

He accused the Haredi parties of disregarding the safety and lives of other Israeli children, saying, "Haredi politicians tell us they don't care that our children are dying. They are unmoved when sensitive information is publicly disclosed. All they care about is securing a lot of money for themselves." Lapid specifically named Aryeh Deri, Moshe Gafni, and Yitzhak Goldknopf, suggesting their strategy was to provoke outrage that would be lost in the noise of political turmoil.

Lapid emotionally questioned the Haredi leaders, "Do you even understand how much it hurts us? Our children are dying every day. Yours are not. What are you telling us? That you don't care about our children dying as long as your children continue to live and receive funding?" He concluded by urging coalition members who care about the lives of Israeli children and Torah study to vote against the proposed law, calling it "terrible."

Lapid's remarks highlight the deep political and social tensions surrounding the bill, which aims to enshrine Torah study in Israel's Basic Laws, reflecting ongoing debates about the role of Haredi society and state funding.