Israeli Coalition Races to Pass Key Legislation Before Knesset Dissolution
With the Knesset's term ending imminently, the Israeli coalition is accelerating its legislative agenda to pass several flagship laws before the parliament dissolves. Chairman of the Constitution Committee, Simcha Rothman, announced that the upcoming discussion on the bill to split the role of the Attorney General will focus on dividing the large bill into a smaller one containing only 500 clauses. This move aims to expedite the process amid a tight schedule.
The Knesset has exactly two weeks of work left until its term ends on July 17, ahead of the expected October 27 elections. If elections proceed as scheduled, no law is required to dissolve the Knesset, which must enter a 100-day recess beforehand. The coalition is therefore pushing to complete as much legislation as possible, including laws agreed upon in the Netanyahu-Haredi parties deal.
Key bills in the pipeline include the Basic Law on Torah Study, which the Constitution Committee plans to advance for final approval, and a bill to freeze arrests of draft-dodging yeshiva students, which the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee aims to pass before the term ends. The Torah Study law seeks to establish Torah study as a fundamental value in Israel, counterbalancing the constitutional value of equality, thereby enabling future exemptions from military service for Haredi Jews.
Opposition members have criticized the rushed process, particularly regarding the freeze on arrests bill, calling it an improper legislative procedure that undermines the Knesset's integrity. Additional legislation expected to be advanced includes the repeal of Matan Kahana's kosher certification reform and a communications law, along with a political inquiry commission bill related to the October 7 massacre, all contingent on Haredi party approval.
The coalition is also adjusting plenary schedules to free committee time for advancing these laws, aiming to complete votes before the Knesset's dissolution deadline next week.
