The chairman of the Religious Zionist Party, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, today (Wednesday) removed MK Moshe Solomon from all Knesset committees in which he serves on behalf of the faction - after he voted against the 'Basic Law on Torah Study'.
The MK heard about the dismissal from the media.
According to Smotrich, this was done "out of the understanding that anyone who is not committed to the faction's decisions and does not act transparently and honestly with his members cannot represent its position in Knesset committees.".
The faction's statement said: "On Monday, a meeting of the Religious Zionist faction was held in which the faction's position regarding the law was discussed. At the end of the discussion, a clear decision was reached by all faction members, including MK Moshe Solomon, to set as a condition for supporting the law the deletion of the comparison between Torah students and military service personnel.".
""Accordingly, the faction's demand was presented to the coalition, and it was accepted. The law was amended in accordance with the position of religious Zionism, and the condition set by the faction was approved within the framework of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. MK Salomon was aware of and involved in the entire process and at no stage did he raise any objection or intend to vote against it.".
""Despite this, MK Moshe Solomon chose to act on his own, contrary to the faction's decision. He did not inform his members in advance that he intended to vote against, and surprised all members of the faction with his conduct, thereby seriously damaging their trust.".
The faction also noted: "Such conduct is unacceptable and cannot exist within the framework of proper factional work, based on shared responsibility, trust, and factional discipline. MK Salomon should have voted according to the faction's position and at the very least informed the party chairman or faction chairman in advance of his intention to vote against and coordinated the move with them.".
The chairman of the Religious Zionist faction, MK Ohad Tal, approached Knesset committee chairman Ofir Katz with a request to remove MK Moshe Solomon from his membership in Knesset committees on behalf of the faction.
In Solomon's place will be:
MK Solomon wrote in response: "I have just been informed that the Religious Zionist faction and the faction chairman have decided to remove me from membership in all Knesset committees. I am saddened by the decision, I am part and will remain part of Religious Zionism.".
""In my opinion, and as I have said everywhere since the outbreak of the war, I represent the values of religious Zionism and those who sent us.
Of course, there are disagreements, whether in the interpretation of the law, in political conduct, or in public decisions.
""But I am sure that my friends in religious Zionism would not want the law to be put to a vote either, and I am sure that they represent our public. I am loyal to the faction, and to joint decisions. But at the same time I am a public servant.. I cannot lie to myself. I cannot look into the eyes of the bereaved families of our community, religious Zionism, and vote for a law that says: There is no need to combine Torah and the army. When I accompanied dozens of students and graduates of Seder yeshivot, high yeshivots and preparatory schools throughout the war, I promised myself that I would not give a hand to such a moral and eternal injustice.
""If this is the price I have to pay, then this will be the price. I accept the party chairman's decision, and I hope I will be able to change the faction's position later.".
Dozens of angry comments were written in internal groups of the party center about the fact that a religious Zionist MK voted against the value of Torah study. According to party members, this is a feeling of betrayal and factionalism, and this cannot pass in silence.
One of the party's central committee members wrote in the internal groups: "How can a religious Zionist MK vote against Torah study? Embarrassing.".
In a response published by Solomon, he explained his position: "The current wording compares someone who studies Torah to someone who serves in the army. I cannot support such a wording, which constitutes a desecration of God and an injury to the entire Zionist religious Torah world." Solomon emphasized that the value of Torah study is so clear that it does not need to be anchored in legislation, but added that "complete Torah study is the one that combines a life of action and security," and quoted the Mishnah in the Avos: "Any Torah without work is ultimately useless and leads to sin.".
Solomon clarified that when the law comes up for first reading, he will examine the changes that will be made and decide accordingly.
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