Israeli Finance Ministry Warns of Severe Economic and Legal Risks from Basic Law on Torah Study

The Legal Counsel of Israel's Finance Ministry has strongly opposed the government's proposed Basic Law on Torah Study. They warned that granting the right to Torah study precedence over the principle of equality could severely disrupt budgetary priorities and lead to extensive resource allocations and benefits. In a letter to the Knesset's Legal Advisor, the ministry emphasized that due to the law's broad wording, the exact financial impact cannot yet be determined, but it poses significant economic and legal risks to the economy. Furthermore, the Finance Ministry stressed that the law contradicts government goals aimed at integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military and workforce.