By Zein Khalil
JERUSALEM (AA) — Israel's parliament on Wednesday approved the preliminary reading of a bill allowing soldiers and security personnel to share classified information with the prime minister or defense minister without prior authorization.
The proposed legislation, dubbed the “Feldstein Law,” was introduced by Knesset members Hanoch Milwidsky and Amit Halevi, both from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party. It passed with 59 votes in favor and 52 against, broadcaster Channel 13 reported.
The bill follows the “classified documents case,” which emerged months ago, implicating Eli Feldstein, Netanyahu's security spokesperson, and advisor Jonatan Urich in the alleged leak of military intelligence documents.
The pair allegedly obtained the materials from a soldier and an officer before passing them to media outlets.
Reports indicate that Feldstein attempted to leak the documents to a journalist at Channel 12, but military censorship prevented their publication. Urich allegedly redirected the materials to Shrolik Einhorn, a senior associate of Netanyahu's recent election campaigns, who leaked them to a German newspaper.
The documents were reportedly intended to portray the late leader of Palestinian group Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, before his death, as opposing a prisoner exchange and cease-fire agreement in Gaza. The leaks were seen as an effort to shift public perception and deflect blame from Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal.
The bill seeks to shield Feldstein, Einhorn, and others implicated in the case from charges of “possession of classified information” and “obstruction of justice,” which could carry life imprisonment, according to Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily.
The proposed law exempts classified information shared with the prime minister or defense minister from military judiciary regulations requiring prior approval.
- Likud Party member defends legislation
The bill will now move to a parliamentary committee for further review before returning to the Knesset for a first reading. If approved, it will proceed to additional readings and finalization, potentially becoming law.
The ministerial committee on legislation approved the bill Sunday, setting the stage for Wednesday's Knesset vote.
During the session, Hanoch Milwidsky, a Likud Party member, defended the legislation, saying: “No document in Israel's security establishment should be hidden from the prime minister or defense minister.” He cited concerns that certain factions within security agencies, including the Shin Bet and Mossad, have shared information selectively following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
“If anyone — military or civilian — believes it is necessary to disclose information to political leaders, they should be able to do so without fear,” Milwidsky added.
- Opposition criticizes move
However, opposition leaders criticized the move.
“How is it that Urich, accused of leaks, is not being interrogated, and Netanyahu is not held accountable? They leaked classified intelligence to a German newspaper, bypassing military censorship,” Yair Lapid, head of the opposition Yesh Atid party, said during the session.
Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition National Unity Party, accused the government coalition of undermining the military leadership, stating: “In the mid of a war on seven fronts, you’ve added an eighth by clashing with the Israeli army and security agencies, breaking the chain of command.”
Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza following an attack by Hamas in October 2023, killing more than 44,530 victims, most of them women and children, and injuring over 105,500.
The second year of the genocide in Gaza has drawn growing international condemnation, with officials and institutions denouncing the attacks and blocking of aid deliveries as a deliberate attempt to destroy the population.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last month for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.
*Writing by Mohammad Sio