Miriam Amedi Criticizes Israeli Knesset Over Controversial Laws Affecting Reservists

Miriam Amedi, CEO of the Forum of Reservist Women and wife of singer and active reservist Idan Amedi, sharply criticized the recent passage of several laws in the Israeli Knesset during a 103FM radio interview. Among the laws she condemned were the Basic Law on Torah Study and the law freezing arrests of draft evaders. She expressed disappointment, saying, "We hoped and believed that the Knesset members would come to their senses yesterday, and this would not be their vote."

Amedi recounted how after the initial vote on the law, her forum sent feedback to coalition Knesset members, receiving a dismissive reply from one who said, "Aren't you ashamed? We changed the wording." She responded defiantly, "Should I be ashamed?" She warned that pushing these laws so quickly while reservists are serving extended summer deployments away from their families erodes trust among soldiers.

She explained that the simultaneous passage of the Basic Law on Torah Study and the law freezing arrests is deliberate, serving as legal groundwork for the current conflict period, which the coalition prioritizes. When asked about who represents reservists politically, Amedi declined to endorse any candidate but emphasized the importance of aligning votes with personal and family values. Regarding Bezalel Smotrich, who claims to represent many reservists, she acknowledged his early wartime government decisions but noted that actions and budget priorities now matter most.

Idan Amedi, her husband, is an active reservist who returned to service about six months ago after being severely wounded in Gaza during the war. He was evacuated to Israel for treatment, sedated and ventilated, and continues rehabilitation to this day.