According to a report on Channel 12 News, Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rotman accused representatives of the Shin Bet and the Justice Ministry of not heeding appeals to fight incitement against settlers in Judea and Samaria. Journalist Guy Peleg reported that during the preparation for the hearing, Rotman said that "the blood of the Hillel Weigel brothers who were murdered in Huwara is redder than the blood of those murdered on October 7." Rothman tweeted on social network X (formerly Twitter) and vehemently denied the allegations. "A false and inciting blood libel that never existed and never was created."
Simcha Rothman's alleged statement,
According to the report, the remarks were made during a conversation with Shin Bet officials and representatives of the Justice Ministry, which was intended to precede a discussion in the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, which Rotman chairs.
According to those present: Rothman retracted his remarks
"It didn't take so much blood to bring about a change in policy. I don't trust the judgment of the Shin Bet, you used the tools you received against Jews in the past," Rothman said, before adding his statement about the murder of the Yaniv brothers and the massacres on October 7.
According to the report, Rothman's remarks stunned those present and he retracted his remarks. The outrageous quote provoked much outrage. The Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council called on him to resign. "Shame on you. You are not worthy of being a public representative. It is appropriate and desirable that you submit your resignation this evening," the statement said
Rothman denied that the allegations had been made, tweeting: "While I was at the funeral of a fallen IDF soldier, who fell alongside his friends from all segments of the Israeli population, Channel 12 took pains to create a false and inciting blood libel that never existed."
While I was at the funeral of a fallen IDF soldier who fell alongside his friends from all segments of the Israeli population, Channel 12 took pains to create a false and inciting blood libel that never existed.
For the avoidance of doubt, in no way or form, neither in closed conversations nor in open conversations, has it been said or implied by me as if someone's blood is redder than someone's...
— Simcha Rothman (@rothmar) November 1, 2023
"For the avoidance of doubt, in no way or form, neither in closed conversations nor in open conversations, has it been said or implied by me as if someone's blood is redder than someone else's, and this is a complete lie. Out of respect for the fallen IDF soldiers and those killed in the terrorist attacks on October 7 and earlier, I do not intend to enter into the quarrels and divisions that some of the media are interested in."
Rothman added: "I will not allow this depravity to hinder my efforts to unite and promote the Anti-Terrorism Act in cooperation, coalition and opposition, together with the security forces, as I did this week."
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