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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

'Terrorist' vs 'Judeo-Nazi': MKs trade barbs over bill barring Red Cross from Israeli prisons

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Israeli Knesset rejected a bill that would have barred the Red Cross from entering detention facilities and receiving information.
  • The bill, proposed by Likud lawmakers, failed in its first reading with 36 votes in favor and 41 against.
  • Heated debate preceded the vote, including a physical altercation between MKs Ofir Katz and Ayman Odeh, with sharp exchanges over the bill's implications for security and terrorism.

A contentious bill aimed at prohibiting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from accessing Israeli prisons and receiving related information was rejected by the Knesset plenum in its first reading. The proposed amendment to the Prisons Ordinance sought to prevent ICRC representatives from entering detention facilities and to ban the transfer of information to the organization without specific approvals.

Our hostages in Gaza did not receive visits from the Red Cross. I do not expect anything at all from the opposition. Anyone who abstained from voting on this law is voting in favor of the Nukhba terrorists. Arye Deri’s alliance with Ahmad Tibi will not help the haredi public; it harms Israel’s security. This is a correct and important law.

— Itamar Ben-GvirNational Security Minister, speaking in support of the bill to bar the Red Cross from prisons.

The bill, drafted by MKs Galit Distel Atbaryan and Keti Shitrit, garnered 36 votes in favor but was opposed by 41 lawmakers, leading to its removal from the agenda. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued in favor of the bill, stating that Israeli hostages in Gaza had not received Red Cross visits and that opposing the law equated to supporting "Nukhba terrorists."

Do not vote against it. Do not harm the security of the State of Israel because of politics. If the law does not pass today, it will not be able to pass at all, and the Nukhba terrorists will receive assistance.

— Ofir KatzCoalition chairman, urging Haredi parties to vote for the bill.

Prior to the vote, coalition chairman Ofir Katz urged Haredi parties to support the bill, warning that its failure would harm Israel's security. The debate escalated into a physical confrontation between Katz and MK Ayman Odeh, with ushers intervening. During the altercation, Katz accused Odeh of serving "Nukhba terrorists," while Odeh retorted with the epithet "Judeo-Nazi."

You are here to serve the Nukhba terrorists against the people of Israel.

— Ofir KatzAddressing MK Ayman Odeh during a heated exchange in the Knesset.

The bill's explanatory notes cited security risks as the primary justification for restricting the ICRC's access, proposing limitations on entry and information sharing unless approved by the national security or defense minister, subject to security considerations.

You are a Judeo-Nazi!

— Ayman OdehResponding to MK Ofir Katz during a physical altercation in the Knesset.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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