MK Boaz Bismuth Attacked by Mob in Bnei Brak, Vows to Advance Haredi Draft Law

The Jerusalem Post reports on a disturbing incident where MK Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, was attacked by a mob in Bnei Brak. This event underscores the deep divisions within Israeli society regarding the ultra-Orthodox draft law. Bismuth, a Likud member, was targeted while on his way to a Bar Mitzvah, with assailants shouting epithets and labeling him a "traitor."

The attack, captured on video and shared by Bismuth himself, occurred near a faction conference of the Peleg Yerushalmi group. The timing of the incident, as Bismuth publicly reiterated his dedication to passing the controversial draft law, highlights the intense opposition faced by efforts to integrate the Haredi community into national service. Bismuth's statement on X/Twitter directly linked the attackers to "extremists" on both the right and left, suggesting a shared understanding that the conscription law is inevitable.

Israel Police successfully removed Bismuth from the scene without injury. The incident is particularly significant given the ongoing IDF manpower shortage and the government's push to advance the draft bill, which had been stalled during the war. Bismuth's legislative package includes extending mandatory service, a conscription law, and a reserve duty law. Critics, however, view the bill as a political maneuver by Prime Minister Netanyahu to appease his Haredi coalition partners, rather than a genuine attempt to increase enlistment. From an Israeli perspective, this event is not just about a physical attack but a stark illustration of the societal tensions surrounding religious and national obligations.

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The common denominator between the extremists in Bnei Brak who attacked me tonight and the Kaplan and leftist extremists who attacked me in the past is the understanding that the conscription law will pass and lead to the conscription of Haredim. I will continue fearlessly in promoting the law.