United Torah Judaism (UTJ) MK Meir Porush hit out at Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's government in the Knesset on Wednesday, comparing it to the religious Zionist World Mizrachi Movement due to it "putting nationality above religion."
Porush lamented Bennett's vision of creating a new national camp with a more inclusive government such as the current one, constructed by eight parties from the left, center, right and the Arab sector.
"The [Mizrachi] movement, which Bennett holds in high regard, is based on mixed classrooms, mixed youth movements," Porush said. "Bennett's government is based on hybrid movements that put nationality above religion, but we all know the Mizrachi movement fell off the political landscape," the MK added.
The UTJ MK also criticized Bennett for celebrating the passing of the IDF draft bill for haredim (ultra-Orthodox) earlier this week.
The haredi community is currently exempt from serving in the IDF and haredi politicians were irate over the passing of the bill, with UTJ leader Moshe Gafni calling it "the most shameful bill in Israel's history."
Redirecting his speech towards Ra'am MK Mansour Abbas, Porush then said that Abbas will no longer "be the boss" and will "disappear just as World Mizrachi Movement disappeared."
Mizrachi issued a statement condemning Porush's comments, saying that it is a "thriving global movement with growing branches in thousands of communities across the globe."
"Instead of making divisive and ignorant comments, we invite MK Porush to join our 120th celebrations this year and to learn about Mizrachi’s vibrant activities," the statement reads.