Stormy night in Knesset: Haredi MKs performed 'kria' and held slichos minyan

This night will go down in the history of the Israeli Knesset for sure: the rift between the Orthodox and the secular in the state was reflected through a stormy night in the Israeli parliament. In the evening, the proceedings began before the vote on the first reading, the conscription law, designed to repeal the special status of the yeshiva students. The discussion lasted for hours until morning that the vote was taken: 66 supported the law, 21 opposed.

Haredi MKs knew that the law will pass and took advantage of the long night mainly to express their protest: the beginning of the night they held outside the plenum a special slichos prayer.

Later, they all got up in the middle of the debate and made 'kria' in their clothes.

The peak moment was when MK Meir Porush handcuffed himself to the stand, during his speech, in support of the bnei yeshivos, who, according to the law – will be arrested if they resist the draft. "Yeshiva students will abide by rabbis, Rebbes and heads of yeshivas," he said, "and when they tell them to go to jail - they will agree to go to jail in handcuffs and will be unable to separate themselves from the Torah. In the name of this public I stand here today. "

MK Moshe Gafni spoke and called 'Avinu malkeinu, kera ro'a gzar dineinu". He further said, "Shame how a person with a sarcastic smile is running the country. He is the real prime minister."

MK Yaakov Litzmann said to secular Knesset members: "Your grandfathers look down and are ashamed of you for harming the Torah world."

MK Israel Eichler called on the Haredi MKs to go out during the speech of "Minister of Facebook Yair Lapid," and indeed, the MKs responded to his call and left. MK Yaakov Margi actually demanded that the Prime Minister will respond to the law, and not Lapid who is Minister of Finance and unrelated to the law .

Shas MKs were also active, MK Yitzhak Cohen went up to the stand, holding a Chumash Devorim, he quoted the words of Ba'al Haturim, that the Torah saves the rest of the people who are working. He was joined by MK Eli Yishai, who cried out from the pulpit: "They never wanted the Haredim in the army and not in the labor force," Yishai said that when he was Minister he was clearly told "there is nothing to do with the haredim in the general sector."

Towards morning, the voting on the law was held and it passed by a large majority: 66 supported, 21 opposed. The law passed its first reading and is now brought to the Knesset committees for discussion. The proposed now was created as a compromise between MK Yaakov Perry and Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon, who were divided on the section of criminal sanctions, but is expected to undergo many more changes until it will be brought before the second and third readings.

Hagaon R' Aharon Leib Steinman spent his time last night (Monday) to read Tehillim. Grandson of Harav Steinman visited him in the evening and asked why he looked so tired. Aharon Leib explained that he did not sleep due to the filing of the bill of conscription of bnei yeshivos.

The Yesh Atid faction announced this morning (Tuesday) that it welcomes the approval of the military burden equality and economic burden on first reading in the Knesset plenum. "The bill would allow tens of thousands of haredim to properly support themselves and their families and to integrate into the labor market. Through it, for the first time in 65 years, they will all serve the country. This is a large step in change and we will continue to work in order to complete it with further changes."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!