Progress Made in Advancing Basic Law on Torah Study Amidst Political Negotiations

On Saturday, Yossi Fox, secretary to the government and lawyer, sent a formal request to Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, urging the advancement of a clause from the draft conscription law that calls for freezing criminal proceedings against Torah students. This move follows the success of Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, and Aryeh Deri, chairman of Shas, after the Knesset Committee announced it would hold four discussions next week on the Basic Law on Torah Study.

Fox's letter emphasized that enforcement actions alienate rather than unite, creating feelings of persecution, pain, and extremism. Consequently, they requested a three-month freeze on criminal proceedings against yeshiva students. The letter also clarified that this freeze would not exempt students from economic sanctions or military service obligations.

Last Thursday, representatives of the ultra-Orthodox parties submitted a revised version of the law, known as the "Haredi Deal with Netanyahu." The updated text removed a clause equating Torah study with military service, which had been described as a "great value" underpinning the state. Instead, the new version states that the state "recognizes the value of Torah study" and will act to encourage it. This deletion came after objections from Likud and Religious Zionist factions opposed to the direct comparison between Torah study and military service.

The legislative push is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's deal with the Haredi parties, with a marathon of Knesset committee discussions scheduled for the coming week. Meanwhile, the Knesset's legal advisor warned that despite the accelerated pace, proper legislative procedures must be maintained to ensure the law's validity.