Chaos Erupts in Knesset During Ultra-Orthodox MPs' Conflict of Interest Declarations

A commotion broke out in the Knesset plenum on Tuesday during the reading of conflict of interest declarations by ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) members of Knesset (MKs). This occurred just before the second and third readings of the Detention Law. The session became heated with interruptions and shouting as Knesset Speaker Limor Son Har-Melech read the declarations one by one.

The unusual procedure followed a directive from the Knesset Legal Advisor, Attorney Shagit Afik, issued ahead of the vote. Afik instructed that MKs whose close relatives are subject to enforcement or legal proceedings related to refusal to enlist in military service must disclose this conflict before participating in the debate and vote. She clarified that disclosure is required only if the relative has an arrest warrant, has been detained, or is undergoing enforcement or legal action. Simply having a relative who is a yeshiva student avoiding service without formal proceedings does not require disclosure.

Afik further noted that after disclosure, MKs may still vote, as Knesset ethics rules do not prohibit participation, and each MK is responsible for assessing any conflict of interest based on their personal circumstances.

During the reading of these declarations by Limor Son Har-Melech, loud exchanges erupted between coalition and opposition members, intensifying the debate moments before the critical votes on the Detention Law took place.