Disruption in Constitution Committee as Hostages’ Relatives Are Removed from Meeting

A discussion in the Constitution Committee on the bill to split the attorney general’s role. In the committee’s first discussion today (Wednesday) on the bill to split the powers of the attorney general, ahead of second and third readings, a commotion broke out among those present, reaching a peak after relatives of hostages and bereaved families were removed from the meeting. The incident was triggered when MK Merav Cohen of Yesh Atid asked committee chair MK Simcha Rothman, “Do you think you had a successful term?” Rothman replied, “Very. Very successful,” and at that point participants in the discussion protested, muttering to him, “How many hostages does that make wonderful?”

In response, Merav Svirsky, sister of Itay Svirsky, who was kidnapped alive, murdered in captivity and whose body was recovered from Gaza, attacked Rothman, while MK Cohen simultaneously shouted at Rothman, “Merav’s brother had not such a successful term.” Later, after Knesset Guard officers moved to remove Merav Svirsky from the Knesset, MK Gilad Kariv of the Democrats informed her that she was invited to a discussion he was holding in the Immigration and Absorption Committee, and she therefore remained in the Knesset.

In response to the surprise among participants over the remarks by the MK from the Religious Zionism faction, MK Erez Malul of Shas identified the culprit, claiming that “we had a difficult coalition because of several things, including Gali Baharav-Miara.” At that point, Rothman adjourned the meeting for a break.

During the discussion, Rothman argued that “a lot of fake news was spread, because the law will only apply starting January 1, 2027, only then will the division of powers and changes to the appointment procedures take effect.” According to him, “everything that is determined to remain under the attorney general will remain with the current legal adviser.” MK Karin Elharar of Yesh Atid commented, “Ahead of the elections, how surprising,” although, as noted, Rothman said the date would be only after that, following the formation of the next government.

Cohen also objected to the number of meetings scheduled in an effort to advance the legislation in a short time. She called it “turbo pace for legislation that is a regime change.” “It harms the legislative process and makes it less balanced, less proportional, less professional, less good for the State of Israel.” She added that the pace and marathon of meetings would have far-reaching implications. “Look what happened when the political system was allowed to choose the gatekeepers, the prime minister’s private lawyer was chosen. Apply that here, who will be the next attorney general? You trampled the will of the people. The conduct is an uncompromising attack on the institution of legal counsel. It smells unprofessional.”