MK Simon Davidson Shouts at Yeshiva Students During Torah Study Law Debate in Knesset

A tense incident occurred on Monday in the Knesset plenum when MK Simon Davidson loudly confronted a group of yeshiva students seated in the visitors' gallery during a heated debate on the Basic Law: Torah Study. The students had come to observe the historic discussion but were met with Davidson's verbal outburst. He shouted at them, "Have you heard of this thing called enlistment? Are you enlisting?" He accused them of watching lawmakers "like monkeys in a zoo" and insisted that at their age they should be serving in the army and fighting, not just studying Torah from morning till night. Davidson expressed frustration, saying, "I'm tired of seeing you here, wandering around like a circus."

The outburst took place amid a contentious debate over the Basic Law: Torah Study, which was later passed in its second and third readings by a vote of 63 to 52. The law enshrines Torah study as a fundamental value of the State of Israel and sparked fierce arguments within both the coalition and opposition. After his initial shouting, Davidson attempted to soften his tone, apologizing to the students and urging them not to dismiss his message. He encouraged them to enlist in the army, saying it would not make them less religious but rather better citizens.

Shortly after the vote, a petition was filed with the Supreme Court challenging the Basic Law: Torah Study. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in Israeli society regarding military service exemptions for yeshiva students and the role of Torah study in the state.

Summary: MK Simon Davidson shouted at yeshiva students in the Knesset gallery during a debate on the Basic Law: Torah Study, urging them to enlist in the army. The law was passed despite opposition, and a petition was filed against it soon after.