Red Cross Terror-Prisoner Visits Bill Falls Amid Haredi Boycott
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. Reports citing Knesset spokesperson text said 36 MKs supported the proposal, 41 opposed it, and the bill was removed from the agenda, blocking another vote for six months. The boycott reflected Haredi factions' broader protest over stalled legislation central to their communities' agenda. Ben-Gvir and bill backers argued the measure was necessary 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.