A political storm erupted today (Tuesday) in the Knesset’s Constitution Committee during a debate on a bill to split the role of the attorney general. Committee Chair MK Simcha Rotman was forced to call a recess after a confrontation with opposition MK Merav Cohen led to her removal from the chamber.
The incident began when Cohen exceeded the two minutes allotted for her opening remarks. She continued speaking and demanded to know if she would be given additional speaking time later. After three calls to order, Chair Rotman ordered her removed from the hearing—a move that sparked outrage among other opposition members present.
Following Cohen’s ejection, opposition lawmakers began protesting loudly, calling Chair Rotman a “thug.” In response, Rotman halted the debate and said he would not allow the proceedings to continue this way. “Opposition members came with the goal of blowing up the debate, and I won’t allow it,” Rotman said, ordering a recess until tempers cooled.
After the debate resumed, Chair Rotman explained his decision: “I said at the start of the debate that I would allow two-minute opening statements, and I don’t accept conditions for releasing the microphone. This is not parliamentary conduct.” In response, MK Ofer Cassif attacked him, saying: “The insane conduct here is exactly a mirror of your legislation designed to shut mouths. This is the definition of thuggery.”