Law banning Breaking the Silence from Israeli schools

(JNS)—A law banning groups grounded in the criticism of Israel Defense Forces’ soldiers and the operations of the IDF passed on Tuesday in the Knesset.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Shuli Mualem-Refaeli, the Jewish Home Party co-authors of the bill, said the law would also apply to institutions that attempt to delegitimize Israel abroad.

The bill passed its second and third reading by a vote of 43-24.

It was specifically aimed at Breaking the Silence, an organization that questions the actions and morality of the IDF, particularly in Judea and Samaria. The organization has come under criticism not just for attacking the actions of Israeli soldiers, but the Jewish state itself around the world, and for publicizing stories of the abuse of Palestinians that were later proven to be false.

“Anyone who wanders around the world attacking IDF soldiers will not enter a school,” Bennett affirmed in a statement.