Haredi Parties Reject Changes to Basic Law on Torah Study Despite Netanyahu's Push

Tensions between the Haredi parties and the Likud over the Basic Law on Torah Study have escalated. The Degel HaTorah party informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that it will not agree to any changes to the law's wording from the version previously agreed upon with the Haredi representatives. This firm stance follows direct instructions from leading rabbis who demand full adherence to prior commitments and oppose reopening recent agreements.

The dispute traces back to a meeting about two weeks ago where Netanyahu promised Aryeh Deri, head of Shas, and Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, that he would advance the Basic Law on Torah Study. However, coalition chairman Ofir Katz has recently sought to introduce amendments to the law, prompting sharp criticism from Rabbi David Lando, head of a yeshiva, who questioned Netanyahu's reliability, asking, "Does he not intend to honor even this agreement?"

In response, Ofir Katz expressed anger at the Haredi parties for not informing him in advance about their opposition to the proposed changes and their intent to resist them. Katz announced that Likud will submit reservations to the law, signaling ongoing friction within the coalition over this legislation.

The conflict highlights the delicate balance within the Israeli government regarding legislation affecting the Haredi community and the challenges Netanyahu faces in maintaining coalition unity while advancing legal reforms.