Likud MK Boaz Bismuth broke off his speech and left a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in a Tel Aviv synagogue on Monday evening after protests broke out against him, according to Hebrew media.
As Bismuth began to speak, several of those in attendance began to shout "shame!" and "he [Bismuth] shouldn't be here" in his direction.
Other participants in the ceremony began arguing with them, almost leading to physical confrontations between the two sides.
Bismuth and Gantz respond
Bismuth released a statement shortly after the incident, saying: "Holocaust Remembrance Day is beyond any other political or partisan controversy. This is a holy day meant to preserve the memory of millions of Jews who perished. When the Nazis murdered them, they were not concerned about their political position or their party position, what interested them was that they were Jews. To divide, quarrel and fight on this day - this is a terrible thing that I will not support."
National Unity party chairman MK Benny Gantz condemned the actions of the protesters on Twitter. "As a son of Holocaust survivors, the pictures of MK Bismuth being expelled from a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, in a synagogue in the Jewish state, hurt my heart."
"I condemn this, and even though I understand the difference of opinion and the distress many in the nation feel, I ask of everybody to show restraint in these holy days. After them, we will lead intense and important debates about [Israel's] character with determination and strength."