Protesters Interrupt Simcha Rothman Speech at JPPI Conference

During a speech by Knesset member and Constitution Committee chairman Simcha Rothman at a conference of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) on Sunday, several audience members interrupted him with protest chants. The disturbance came while Rothman was speaking about the work of the committee he heads.

As the speech was underway, some participants stood up holding signs reading, "7.10.23 - לא נסלח" and "7.10.23 - לא נשכח," meaning, "7.10.23 - We will not forgive" and "7.10.23 - We will not forget." The interruptions came from a small group in the audience.

JPPI president Prof. Yedidia Stern then went on stage and asked those present to allow the talk and the broader discussion to continue. "I really ask, we are all guests here, even when emotions rise, you will hear things that are completely opposite, that is the point, to listen," he said.

During the exchange, one attendee shouted over Stern, prompting him to respond, "You will not decide who is relevant and who is not."