[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

As the chareidim continue efforts to push through an amended draft law, the matter was discussed in the Knesset plenum on Monday, 4 Kislev. During the discussion a harsh exchange of words erupted between MK (Yesh Atid) Elazar Stern and MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Menachem Eliezer Moses.

In his address, Moses spoke of the previous Knesset, which passed the controversial draft bill into law, referring to the coalition as a “malicious” one. He compared the draft law to the days of Czar Nikolai, when Jews were compelled to meet military quotas. Speaker Yuli Stern pointed out to Stern that Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L was against using this term (ממשלת זדון).

This however was just the beginning. Elazar Stern also had his turn at the podium. He turned to Moses and asked him if he wishes to apologize for his words.

Moses:

What for?

Stern:

You know what I think about the chareidim? You should be embarrassed as one who increases hate.

Moses:

Really, really

Stern:

Where are you taking the Torah world? You should be ashamed of comparing this to the days of Nikolai.

Moshes stands up and began shouting at Stern.

Stern:

This is what I did and you can yell as much as you like. If you were a mentsch you would apologize.

Moses:

(Yelling) You have harmed chareidi families. You are a chareidi hater!

Stern:

You can yell as much as you like. You are the example of everything that is wrong with the chareidi community.

Stern attacked Moses one more time at the end of the exchange, shouting “Who are you? Seven MKs? You speak about Yesh Atid? Who are you (plural)? Seven! We are ten (Yesh Atid)! Don’t threaten us!

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)