Simcha Rothman
Simcha RothmanYonatan Sindel/Flash90

Knesset Constitution Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism party) cancelled his attendance at a meeting with attorneys at the Israel Bar Association office in Tel Aviv Thursday afternoon due to the large number of protestors outside the building as well as a threat against his life.

The police had requested that Rothman not go to the meeting after receiving the death threat. He will instead attend the meeting via ZOOM.

In a message to the participants of the meeting, MK Rothman said: "Unfortunately, a small and violent group has taken over the Israeli left and sets its agenda. People who believe in democracy do not block a person's way to discussion and to present his position in a polite manner. People who believe in democracy, believe in discourse and not in violence."

"Unfortunately, due to the notifications we received, and the updated situational assessments, the Knesset officer ordered me not to come to the event at the Bar Association today, when I was already on my way there," said Rothman.

"There are those who raise the word 'democracy' in their throats, but they want the debate to be conducted on a one-sided basis, and like bullies, they callously silence the majority in Israel. We will continue to promote the values and positions on behalf of which we were elected, and we will not surrender to a violent and extremist group," he added.

Earlier, a message was circulated among the protesters which read: "At 3:00 PM, Simcha Rothman, one of the architects of the dictatorship, is coming to the Bar Association, 10 Daniel Frish Street, Tel Aviv, in front of the American Zionist House. Let's welcome him."