A legislative discussion in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation erupted into shouting and personal attacks on Sunday, as a fierce confrontation broke out between Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The committee was debating a bill intended to formalize who appoints the special prosecutor in cases involving investigations of the Attorney General or the Military Advocate General. The proposal would grant Justice Minister Yariv Levin the authority to make such appointments.
What began as a tense discussion quickly spiraled into a verbal clash after Limon accused Ben Gvir of repeatedly attempting to interfere in criminal investigations. Both Channel 12 and Kan News reported on the dramatic exchange, publishing direct quotes from inside the meeting.
Limon confronted Ben Gvir sharply:
“You are forbidden to intervene in investigations—not through legislation, not by influencing the appointments of officers, not through discussions in which you order materials to be transferred. You are forbidden! Time after time you try to interfere, acting in violation of the principles document you yourself signed.”
Ben Gvir fired back immediately:
“You’re talking about conflicts? You are one big conflict of interest!”
Limon insisted he has no involvement in the investigation under discussion:
“I have no knowledge of the investigation and no details.”
Justice Minister Levin then joined the fray:
“You’re backing away. If you were a witness in my investigation, I’d see how frightened you are.”
Ben Gvir demanded answers:
“I want you to answer me clearly—did you or did you not improperly interfere in the investigation?”
Limon responded:
“What you are doing right now is political interference. You are demonstrating exactly that.”
Ben Gvir:
“What are you afraid of? We asked you a simple question—answer it.”
Levin accused the Attorney General’s Office of failure:
“You failed miserably. You should have stepped aside and allowed Ben Hamo to rule.”
Coalition MK Shlomo Karhi jumped in with another accusation:
“Is it true that the Attorney General, who briefed the IDF Chief of Staff on the investigation, knew he was meeting Meni Benjamin?”
Ben Gvir taunted Limon repeatedly:
“It’s obvious you’re recording this. You’re red, embarrassed, and avoiding answers.”
Limon maintained his position:
“I repeat again and again: you are violating the principles document and the rulings of the Supreme Court.”
At that point, Ben Gvir escalated sharply:
“You… the days are over when you intimidated ministers. The days are over when you behaved like a mafia. Don’t you understand that, Gil Limon? Who are YOU to threaten me?”
Limon replied calmly:
“I am not threatening you.”
But Ben Gvir insisted:
“You just threatened me. Who are you to threaten me? You are a civil servant—and you will behave like a civil servant!”
{Matzav.com}
A fierce political dispute erupted after Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz began considering the appointment of Yehuda Morgenstern—who previously served as director-general of the ministry under Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf—as acting director-general of the Israel Land Authority. The prospective appointment sparked widespread backlash in the political arena, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett even declared that if he returns to office, he will cancel the senior appointment.
The loudest criticism came from Minister Amichai Shikli, who openly opposed Morgenstern’s anticipated appointment. Shikli stated, “I have nothing whatsoever against Yehuda Morgenstern, a wise and pleasant man, but the Israel Land Authority must not be placed in the hands of the ‘real estate Chassidus’ of Gur!”
Shikli argued that the head of the Israel Land Authority must be someone motivated by Zionist priorities: “The director of the Israel Land Authority must—especially now—be someone whose driving force is Zionism, strengthening Jewish settlement in the Galilee and Negev, and supporting IDF soldiers and reservists.”
He went on sharply criticizing past policies: “We have had enough of the five bitter and difficult years for settlement under Yanki Quint. The Israel Land Authority needs a director whose only concern is Zionism.”
UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf responded with a blistering attack, accusing Shikli of bigotry and discriminatory rhetoric. Goldknopf said, “The minister’s repulsive statement is tainted with condescension, hatred of the other, and a toxicity usually found only among haters of Israel.”
He continued, saying that Shikli’s comments were especially inappropriate given his public role combating antisemitism abroad: “As someone tasked with fighting antisemitism, Shikli should restrain himself and understand that saying Yehuda Morgenstern’s appointment means the authority will be controlled by the Gur community is a disgrace and a shame. Disqualifying a person because of his affiliation with a Chassidic group is an injustice—exactly the kind of injustice Shikli claims to fight abroad, where people and communities are targeted because of their Jewish identity.”
Goldknopf went on to defend Morgenstern’s reputation and qualifications: “Yehuda Morgenstern is a man who worked his way up through effort and diligence, and no one disputes his professionalism, credentials, or abilities.”
Finally, he issued a direct call to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu: “It is expected of the prime minister that when a minister from his own party and government makes such statements, he will condemn them.”
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Ministry of Defense released new data early Monday marking the National Day of Appreciation for Wounded IDF Soldiers and Security Personnel, revealing a staggering picture of the toll taken since the Simchas Torah massacre two years ago.
According to the Rehabilitation Department, 82,400 wounded individuals are currently receiving care, including 31,000 coping with psychological injuries and post-trauma.
Since the Hamas surprise attack on Simchas Torah, approximately 22,000 newly wounded have entered the rehabilitation system. Of these:
58% are suffering from psychological trauma
63% are reservists
49% are under the age of 30
The ministry estimates that by the end of 2026, another 10,000 wounded will be added—most of them battling psychological injuries.
Looking further ahead, projections show that by 2028 the Rehabilitation Department will be treating around 100,000 wounded, half of whom will be individuals dealing with psychological trauma.
In response to the growing national challenge, the Ministry of Defense announced: “Given the scope of the wounded and the national challenge, the Ministry of Defense, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, established a public committee headed by Prof. Mori Yosef to examine expanding national support, treatment, and services for wounded IDF soldiers.”
The ministry noted a significant expansion in resources: “The department is broadening its medical and psychological treatment framework and the realization of rights. Its budget has risen by 53% and now stands at 8.3 billion shekels, half of which—4.1 billion shekels—is dedicated to services for those with psychological injuries, who make up roughly one-third of our patients.”
The past year has seen major increases in demand:
The number of psychological treatments provided has doubled
Use of alternative therapies has risen by about 50%
Calls to the “One Soul” mental-health hotline have surged by nearly 80%
{Matzav.com}
A joyous milestone was marked in Modi’in Illit, where the wedding of the first granddaughter of the Mirrer mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, was celebrated.
The kallah is a daughter of Rav Moshe Finkel, son of the mashgiach and son-in-law of Rav Eliezer Lieberman.
The event drew a large crowd of rabbonim and community figures who came to honor the mashgiach and rejoice with him at this significant moment.
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