The coalition continued throughout Monday to advance controversial legislation in the Knesset, after sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers who accused the government of prioritizing divisive laws over essential war matters.
Advancement of bills that were not essential to the war activity was temporarily limited at the start of Operation Roaring Lion. However, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announced last week that the Knesset would return to a more expanded framework and ordered additional halls in the building to be prepared for use as protected spaces for meetings.
Both coalition and opposition lawmakers had called to put political disputes aside and focus on unity at the start of the war.
Among the controversial laws scheduled to advance this week is a bill that aims to establish a politically appointed committee to investigate the failures surrounding Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.
The October Council, which represents bereaved families of the attacks, sent a letter on Sunday to Ohana demanding that discussions on advancing the political probe bill be canceled immediately. The group warned that if the scheduled discussion on Thursday takes place, a broad public protest will be launched.
Outrage over probe law advanced during wartime
“At this very time, the Knesset is choosing to advance an explosive and controversial law aimed at establishing a political investigative committee instead of a true state investigative committee,” the council wrote.
“Worse still, the discussions are taking place under the constraints of war and in practice without the general public, without experts, and without civil society. This is not how democracy works.”
“We will not agree that the Knesset will exploit the security situation to advance a law that divides Israeli society and harms the families who were most affected by the events of October 7."
“We will block the entrances to the Knesset. We will block the exits from the homes of those who promote this law. Even under Iranian missiles, we will stand outside and demonstrate," the group added.
Another piece of legislation being discussed in the Knesset is the death penalty for terrorists bill, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Also being debated is the communications reform bill, which proposes sweeping reforms to Israel’s broadcasting sector, along with a bill that seeks to split the role of the attorney-general into three separate positions, amid the ongoing rift between the government and the judiciary.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) said on Sunday that the government is prioritizing these laws "while Israeli citizens are being killed and wounded and tens of thousands of young people have been called up for reserve duty.”
“Instead of fighting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, they are bringing their own poisonous revolution,” he said.
Lapid called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to instruct the Knesset that the advancement of legislation must be stopped immediately.
“There is a war. If you want ‘together we will win,’ then stop,” Lapid added, referring to the government’s wartime slogan for unity.
Concerns have also been raised that, due to wartime restrictions on entry to the Knesset building, many of the professionals who typically contribute to the discussions on legislation are currently unable to attend.
Knesset committee discussions often provide a platform for guest speakers, including professionals such as experts, government officials, and stakeholders. They provide input, data, and opinions on matters related to the legislation being advanced.
The Democrats Party sent a letter to the Knesset legal adviser on Saturday demanding that all legislative discussions unrelated to the war be frozen.
“Given the continuation of Operation Roaring Lion, we are writing to demand that you instruct the Knesset speaker to remove all discussions scheduled for the coming week that do not fall under war needs or the state budget,” the party wrote in the letter.
The Democrats's letter stated that without the ability to include necessary professional and civil stakeholders required for “a thorough and transparent discussion,” the process would constitute a “legal flaw that goes to the root of the matter, undermines the integrity of the legislative process, and is extremely unreasonable.”
“We demand the cancellation of all discussions scheduled for this week in Knesset committees on bills that do not fall under ‘war necessities’ or the state budget.”
Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party, also criticized the move last week, stating that the prime minister and the Knesset speaker must “get a grip and shut down this disgraceful episode. Focus on defeating our enemies, not on deepening the rift among the people.”