MK Ousted by Smotrich: “I’m Ready to Pay the Political Price for My Vote”

A stir broke out in the Knesset plenum during the vote on the Basic Law on Torah study. MK Moshe Solomon of Religious Zionism spoke on Thursday on 103FM about his opposition to the Basic Law on Torah study, his removal from Knesset committees as a result, and the values he says Religious Zionism must anchor in Israeli society.

MK Solomon addressed his vote against the Basic Law on Torah study and its consequences: “I really believe, מתוך a great love for the Haredi world and as a Zionist, that what I am doing represents many in Israel. Now, if this brings a personal or political price, I am ready to pay it. I knew that I could happen, and yesterday I was removed from all the committees. I am part of the party, I understand the anger, but I think what I am doing contributes to the party. I think what I am doing brings voters.”

“I think my statement is important, I hope my colleagues will express it more strongly. I did it yesterday and paid a price for it, I hope that in due time I will return. My statement is a values-based and ideological statement. I think many of my colleagues in Religious Zionism think this way and say it in their hearts, I proved a point. I think this is not a populist statement but an authentic and values-based statement for which I am prepared to pay a price. I would say it again, without question. I think that right now we need to focus on healing the society,” he explained later.

“Basic Law on Torah study, there is no need for such a law”

“It is important for me to note that when we talk about the Basic Law on Torah study, it speaks about two main clauses. One clause says that the State of Israel recognizes the value of Torah study, I am in favor. It is the basis of our existence. The second part of the law speaks about equating Torah scholars with those who gave significant service to the State of Israel. That is something we did not agree to. That issue was brought to a vote yesterday, even though Minister Elkin said that this clause would be canceled and so on, but it is completely clear that the first clause will also not remain decorative. I think there is no need for such a law that places the value of Torah study, if it is decorative and there is no need to change reality, then there is no need to place it. So first of all, this is not a procedural matter, it is a more significant value. There is absolutely no need for this law to be brought up, which places the value of Torah study, there are many values in the Jewish people that need to be placed and are not placed, because this is something very clear that we live by,” MK Solomon argued about the Basic Law on Torah study.

He further clarified: “If this is a decorative law that has no meaning, then there is no need to bring it up. I have been saying this throughout the past two and a half years, especially around enlistment, around the world of Torah. I think this law is not good, and if it is brought up, it certainly should not lead to people not enlisting.”

“It is important for me to say that we, as the Religious Zionism party, really express the values on which we were raised. This has been done over the past three and a half years also in security, the economy, and clear statements in those contexts. I say that the national religious public has a very broad range, and we as MKs represent that entire broad range. I think it would have been right to give expression to our value of Torah study, sefer and sword,” said MK Solomon.

He added: “I say that what I am doing is part of the Religious Zionism party. Part of the party I come from. It is very important to me, like the entire coalition, that the faith-based bloc grow in the coming elections, and I insist on that very, very strongly. I hope the Haredim understand that we are in an unreasonable reality. I represent those who sent me to the Knesset, the national religious public, the periphery. My view says that we have an alternative, and my alternative is to connect, to study Torah deeply, there are great judges who are on the front line, and this can happen that way.”