Overview
- The Knesset rejected the bill in its first reading by 41–36, which under Knesset rules prevents the measure from being brought back for six months.
- The proposal would have barred International Committee of the Red Cross representatives from visiting imprisoned Hamas Nukhba fighters and would have required ministerial approval before sharing information with the ICRC.
- Shas and United Torah Judaism boycotted the coalition’s votes to press for yeshiva-related legislation, and the parties dispute whether they asked for the Red Cross bill to be postponed before the vote.
- Debate on the floor became heated, with a near-physical clash between Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz and MK Ayman Odeh, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir later posting an AI image mocking Shas leader Aryeh Deri.
- The defeat is a material setback for the coalition’s legislative agenda and increases the risk of broader political instability as Haredi partners press demands that could force early elections or further paralysis.