A bitter dispute erupted within Israel’s coalition Monday after legislation to prohibit Red Cross visits to imprisoned Nukhba terrorists was voted down in the Knesset. Shas accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir of violating coalition agreements by forcing the bill to a vote before it had enough support, while Ben Gvir blasted Shas for helping doom the measure.

Following the bill’s defeat, Shas insisted it strongly backed the legislation but argued that Ben Gvir ignored an agreed-upon strategy that would have given it a better chance of passing.

“Shas fully supports the bill to block Red Cross visits to Nukhba terrorists. We suggested to Minister Ben Gvir that the bill be brought forward on Wednesday so that we could vote in favor immediately following the passage of the Basic Law: Torah Study, as agreed upon with the Coalition Chairman. Regrettably, Ben Gvir insisted on bringing it to the floor today. It appears that pulling a political stunt is more important to him than actually passing this vital legislation,” Shas said in a statement.

Ben Gvir forcefully rejected the accusations, maintaining that Monday was the only realistic opportunity to bring the legislation before the Knesset and blaming Shas for delaying the measure the previous week.

“The bill to prevent Red Cross visits to imprisoned terrorists is coming to a vote today after Shas requested to delay it last week. Contrary to Shas’s claims, the bill cannot be brought to a vote on Wednesday due to opposition from the minority bloc – meaning it would subsequently become irrelevant.”

The minister then launched a scathing attack on Shas, accusing the party of undermining Israel’s security interests and reviving political cooperation with Arab lawmakers.

“Regrettably, Shas is choosing to compromise Israel’s security and allow an antisemitic organization to visit Nukhba terrorists, spreading a ‘Sde Teiman-style’ blood libel against our heroic prison guards and the State of Israel. It seems the Deri-Tibi deal is back in full force. A complete disgrace,” Ben Gvir stated.

{Matzav.com}