MK Boaz Bismuth to Hold Discussion on Temporary Order Halting Arrests of Torah Students

Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, announced on Sunday that he will convene the committee this week to discuss a proposed temporary order aimed at stopping criminal proceedings against Torah students. In a letter addressed to Government Secretary Yossi Fox and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Bismuth emphasized concerns raised by professionals involved in integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israel Defense Forces, including heads of Hesder yeshivas. He warned that continuing the current arrest policy could harm recruitment efforts and reduce the number of actual enlistees.

Bismuth also highlighted that the current approach is causing an unprecedented rift and significant tension between the general public and the ultra-Orthodox sector. He criticized rigid policies based on the principle of "strict justice" as exacerbating social divisions. The letter concluded with a call for ongoing dialogue among the government, the Defense Ministry, and the IDF to develop professional solutions to increase ultra-Orthodox enlistment and remove obstacles on the ground.