A heated debate erupted Sunday during a Knesset House Committee meeting on the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study after MK Yitzchok Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism made remarks about military draft evasion, prompting angry interruptions from fellow lawmakers.

Addressing the committee, Goldknopf challenged the discussion surrounding draft evaders, declaring, “I heard here some poignant things that I never dreamed I’d have to talk about. I’m sure that the draft dodgers you’re talking about are the draft dodgers who live in Tel Aviv.”

His comments immediately drew fierce criticism from other members of the committee, several of whom interrupted his speech, shouting, “Shame on you, what nonsense!”

Goldknopf went on to explain that he was referring to individuals who receive military exemptions through special arrangements connected to “receive legal permission from Habima (performing arts theater), or from basketball, or soccer.” Committee members quickly pushed back, pointing out that even professional athletes serve in the IDF.

Later in the discussion, Goldknopf emphasized what he described as the indispensable role of Torah study in the existence of the Jewish state.

“We certainly appreciate all those who stand on the front and all those who choose this path, but there is no and would not be a Land of Israel without the Torah of Israel, and we all know this.”

He concluded by underscoring the longstanding tradition of uninterrupted Torah learning, saying, “there are great sages, there are instructions from generations back on how the Torah must be studied in the Land of Israel and how it must be studied around the world.” He added, “We live in a world with so many countries, I don’t know of any where they arrested someone who studied the Torah or prevented someone from studying the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}