Red Cross Terror-Prisoner Visits Bill Falls as Haredim Boycott Vote
Published
The Knesset voted down in first reading a bill that would have barred International Committee of the Red Cross representatives from visiting Palestinian security prisoners and terror detainees held by Israel, after Shas and United Torah Judaism lawmakers sat out the vote late Monday. The tally was 36 in favor and 41 against (some reports gave 42 opposed), and the bill was removed from the agenda for six months. Ben-Gvir and the bill's backers argued the measure was needed after Israeli hostages in Gaza were denied Red Cross access. Israel's security legislation should answer Hamas's cruelty firmly while keeping coalition discipline and respect for religious communities intact.
Sources
Difference in reporting
Sources agree on the core facts: the Knesset rejected the Red Cross visits bill in first reading after Haredi parties boycotted the vote; 36 MKs supported it; the bill sought to bar International Committee of the Red Cross representatives from prisons and military detention facilities holding Palestinian security prisoners or terror detainees; and the proposal was removed from the agenda for six months. They factually diverge on the opposition count: Times of Israel, Israel Hayom, Walla, News 13, JDN and Kikar report 41 opposed, while JPost reports 42 opposed. No other factual disagreements.
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