MK Moshe Solomon Removed from All Knesset Committees

MK Moshe Solomon has been removed from membership in all Knesset committees after Religious Zionism chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decided to sanction him for opposing Basic Law: Torah Study, contrary to coalition agreements.

According to a statement from Religious Zionism, the party faction met on Monday to discuss its position on the bill. At the end of the discussion, all faction members, including MK Moshe Solomon, approved a clear decision to condition support for the bill on deleting the comparison between Torah students and military service members.

The party said the faction’s demand was presented to the coalition and accepted. The bill was amended in line with Religious Zionism’s position, and the faction’s condition was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. Solomon was aware of and involved in the entire process and at no stage raised any objection or intention to vote against it.

The party further said that despite this, MK Moshe Solomon chose to act on his own, against the faction’s decision. He did not inform his colleagues in advance that he intended to vote against the bill, and surprised the entire faction with his conduct, seriously undermining their trust in him. Such behavior, the party said, is unacceptable and cannot be allowed within proper factional work, which is based on shared responsibility, trust, and faction discipline. Solomon should have voted according to the faction’s position, or at the very least informed the party chairman or faction chairman in advance of his intention to vote against it and coordinated the move with them.

The party said that accordingly, Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich decided to remove MK Moshe Solomon from all Knesset committees on which he serves on behalf of the faction, on the understanding that anyone who is not committed to the faction’s decisions and does not act transparently and honestly with his colleagues cannot represent its position in Knesset committees.

After the unusual punishment, Solomon said, "I was just informed that the Religious Zionism faction and the faction chairman decided to remove me from membership in all Knesset committees. I am hurt by the decision, I am part of, and will remain part of, Religious Zionism. In my view, and as I have said everywhere since the war began, I represent the values of Religious Zionism and those who sent us. Of course, there are disagreements, whether in legal interpretation, political conduct, or public decisions."

He added, "But I am sure that my colleagues in Religious Zionism would not have wanted the bill to come to a vote, and they are certain that they represent our public. I am loyal to the faction and to joint decisions. But at the same time, I am a public representative. I cannot lie to myself. I cannot look into the eyes of the bereaved families from our public, Religious Zionism, and vote for a bill that says there is no need to combine Torah and army."

He also said, "When I accompanied dozens of yeshiva students and graduates of hesder yeshivot, advanced yeshivot, and preparatory programs to burial throughout the war, I promised myself that I would not lend a hand to such a moral and eternal injustice. If this is the price I have to pay, then that will be the price. I accept the party chairman’s decision, and I hope that I will succeed in changing the faction’s position later."