Red Cross Terror-Prisoner Visits Bill Falls as Haredim Boycott Vote

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.