Israeli Coalition Races to Pass Controversial Laws Before Knesset Dissolution

As the 25th Knesset approaches its dissolution on July 17, the governing coalition is pushing through an unprecedented legislative blitz that could significantly reshape Israel's political and legal landscape. In the final ten days before the official election campaign begins, the coalition aims to pass around 200 pending bills, prioritizing laws that solidify its political base, especially the ultra-Orthodox parties allied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Key legislation includes a Basic Law recognizing Torah study as a constitutional value, which passed its first reading with 63 votes. This law is intended to grant Torah study constitutional status, potentially freezing the current exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service and blocking future changes to the burden of national service. Another highly contentious bill, dubbed the "freeze on arrests," seeks to halt the detention of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders for several months. The Israeli military has warned that this could lead to a demographic and security crisis, projecting up to 90,000 draft evaders within 18 months if enforcement weakens.

Simultaneously, the coalition is advancing legislation to weaken the authority of the State Attorney, currently held by Daphna Liel, and to diminish the independence of free media outlets through a new communications law. These moves are part of a broader political deal between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox leaders Moshe Gafni and Aryeh Deri, who have agreed to support the government's flagship bills in exchange for advancing their priorities.

Legal experts and democracy advocates, including constitutional law professor Suzy Navot, warn that this rapid legislative process undermines democratic norms and the rule of law. Navot describes the developments as an "accelerated regime change," criticizing the hasty procedures and attempts to bypass legal counsel and judicial oversight. The weakening of institutional checks, including the State Attorney's office and the judiciary, is seen as a dangerous consolidation of power.

Looking ahead, analysts expect only some of the proposed laws to pass before the Knesset recess. However, the legislation that does pass could grant the government unprecedented authority, with long-term implications for Israeli democracy and society. The coming days will be decisive in determining both the legal framework and the democratic character of Israel in the years to come.