MK Yitzhak Pindrus (United Torah Judaism) on Monday suggested that MK Naama Lazimi (The Democrats) should be shot in the legs for "blocking the road" during a Knesset Education Committee discussion regarding the gender segregation law in academia.
In response, MK Adi Ezuz (Yesh Atid) said that by Pindrus's logic, UTJ Head Yitzhak Goldknopf, the leader of his own party, should also be shot in the legs.
"MK Pindrus said that anyone who blocks the road should be shot in the legs," Ezuz said. "The chairman of his party, Goldknopf, blocked a road. I have studied, and in my opinion, by interpreting the subject, one can say that, in your opinion, MK Goldknopf should be shot in the legs because he blocked a road."
The exchange took place during a Knesset Education Committee discussion on legislation concerning gender segregation in higher education.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Student Rights Law of 2007 so that separate academic tracks for men and women for religious reasons would not be considered discrimination. Supporters of the bill have argued that it would expand access to higher education for haredi students, while opponents have said it would legitimize gender segregation in Israeli society.
Opposition has criticized the proposal
When the legislation passed a preliminary reading in December 2024, opposition lawmakers described the proposal as discriminatory and warned it would weaken protections against gender-based discrimination in higher education.
Former Labor chair Merav Michaeli argued at the time that gender segregation in academia had repeatedly failed to improve employment or educational outcomes for the ultra-Orthodox community, while Yesh Atid MK Merav Ben Ari said the proposal would bypass existing legal protections against discrimination.
Monday's Education Committee discussion formed part of the bill's continued legislative process, with lawmakers debating its implications for Israel's higher education system.
Debate over the legislation continues
Supporters of the proposal have maintained that expanding separate academic study frameworks would make higher education more accessible to members of the haredi community while preserving their religious lifestyle. Opponents have argued that such measures would erode existing protections against gender discrimination and further institutionalize gender segregation in academia.
During the exchange, Ezuz referenced previous road-blocking demonstrations involving Goldknopf, arguing that Pindrus's remarks should apply equally to his party leader.
Committee debate shifts from legislation to rhetoric
The committee discussion ultimately shifted from the substance of the proposed legislation to an exchange over political protests and road blockades.
Neither Pindrus nor Lazimi had publicly commented further on the exchange by the time of publication.