A heated confrontation erupted Monday night in the Knesset plenum during debate ahead of the second and third readings of the Basic Law: Torah Study, as MK Simon Davidson sharply criticized the exemption of bnei yeshivah from military service and directly confronted a group of chareidi youths seated in the visitors’ gallery.

Addressing the young men during his speech, Davidson questioned whether they intended to serve in the IDF.

“Have you heard of this thing called enlisting? Are you enlisting? I’m asking you, yes or no? While you’re sitting here looking at us like monkeys in a zoo, people your age are serving in the army, carrying weapons and wearing helmets and fighting.”

Davidson went on to contrast the youths in the gallery with IDF soldiers and reservists currently serving in combat.

“Every day I see dozens like you who come here to enjoy the Knesset, while my children and his children are serving in the army, fighting and losing their friends. I’m tired of seeing you here already. Walking around like it’s a circus. Go serve in the army.”

The lawmaker also spoke about what he described as the tremendous sacrifices made by reservists and their families.

“The price they pay is so heavy. Another 100 days of reserve duty. Do you know how many reservists lose their businesses, their families? Do you know what it’s like for a mother and father who can’t sleep at night because their son is in Lebanon?”

To illustrate his point, Davidson recounted a story involving a friend whose son is currently serving in Lebanon.

“Yesterday I spoke with my friend, Eli Orgad. His son is in Lebanon. They called at two in the morning—it was apparently a mistake. He suffered paralysis on one side of his face. The man is paralyzed on one side of his face because of a mistaken phone call,” he claimed.

Davidson also criticized the coalition’s efforts to advance draft legislation, arguing that it would only increase the number of young chareidim who avoid military service.

“The moment this law passes, the moment they are no longer pursued and there is no military police, they’ll say, ‘Fine,’ another one and another one and another one. Why should we care? Why should we care that we’re ‘having a good time’ while our children of the same age are risking their lives? Why should they care? They don’t care.”

Despite the sharp tone of his remarks, Davidson concluded by telling the youths that his outburst stemmed from deep emotion rather than personal animosity.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you—it came from the bottom of my heart. Truly, it makes me terribly angry. I just want to tell you one thing: You must be part of the State of Israel, part of carrying the burden. Enlist in the army. It won’t make you less religious. It will make you better citizens—for the country, for your brothers, and for your family.”

{Matzav.com}