Likud MK Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, claimed opposition lawmakers forced their way into his office in the Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
“A red line was crossed," Bismuth said, accusing the MKs of “bullying and vulgar behavior” and improperly attempting to photograph committee documents. He said the event would be handled “to the fullest extent,” including exploring all possible sanctions.
In response, Yesh Atid said the only red line crossed was by Bismuth, who “wants to hide his meetings with haredi power brokers whose sole purpose is to sell out IDF soldiers.”
The party added, “He is angry that the truth came to light, but that is exactly the role of an opposition.”
Yesh Atid further said that if the Ethics Committee is convened, it should begin with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, whom the party accused of calling MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzano “a beast” from the Knesset podium and telling MK Merav Ben Ari, “you too are a beast.” Karhi did not immediately respond to the allegation.
Debates over Knesset budget, haredi draft law
The confrontation came as the coalition and opposition moved toward the first reading of the 2026 state budget and the contentious haredi draft outline.
By law, if the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.
This is a developing story.