Knesset guards drag hostage’s brother out of meeting after he interrupts another hostage’s brother opposing deal

By Sam Sokol 8 July 2024, 12:32 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Danny Elgarat, whose brother Itzik Elgarat is held hostage in Gaza, is dragged out of a Knesset committee meeting on July 8, 2024 (Screen grab via Kan used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Knesset guards forcibly remove the brother of hostage Itzik Elgarat from the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice committee after he interrupts the brother of another hostage speaking out against agreeing to another hostage deal with Hamas.

As Boaz Miran, whose brother Omri was taken captive on October 7 by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, tells the committee that a “reckless deal cannot go through,” Danny Elgarat objects.

Elgarat accuses Miran as acting as backup from the right-wing Tikvah Forum for the committee chair, far-right MK Simcha Rothman. Tikvah Forum activists were present at the committee meeting.

Rothman then orders Elgarat’s removal but Elgarat refuses to move, yelling that he will not go out.

Despite Elgarat sitting still, Rothman insists that he will not tolerate any interruptions nor any violence toward Knesset ushers and again orders his removal.

Elgarat is then physically dragged out of the committee chamber by a team of ushers. He is subsequently photographed receiving medical attention while lying facedown in a Knesset hallway.

According to a reporter for the Ynet news site, several people affiliated with the Tikvah Forum interrupt the proceedings but are not removed.

“Rothman announced two breaks in the discussion during which Elgarat called the Knesset ushers ‘Rottweilers’ and repeatedly refused to leave,” the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee says in a statement.

“Rothman announced the break and said that the discussion would only resume when Elgarat left the room and the families of the hostages who had been patiently waiting for their turn would be allowed to speak. Knesset ushers and Knesset guards removed Elgarat and the discussion resumed.”