Haredi Parties Accept Netanyahu's Compromise on Basic Law for Torah Study

Haredi political factions have agreed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal regarding the Basic Law on Torah Study, approving a streamlined version of the legislation. The original bill contained two sections: the first defines Torah study as a fundamental value of the State of Israel, while the second aimed to provide formal benefits to the Haredi community. Under the compromise, only the first section will be enacted, which states, "Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and the State of Israel." The second section, which sought to balance Torah study against other state values and grant legal advantages to Haredim, was removed.

A Haredi source explained that accepting the Prime Minister's proposal preserves a clean legal text focused solely on Torah study without adding enforcement mechanisms or comparisons to other values. This version is expected to serve as a legal foundation for future legislation. Although the law in its current form lacks the "teeth" the Haredim desired, leaders Moshe Gafni and Aryeh Deri can still present it as a political achievement and a promise for further laws exempting Torah students from military service.

The Haredi community is currently prioritizing legislation to prevent arrests of draft evaders, which is under discussion in the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Some legal experts believe that even the pared-down Basic Law on Torah Study will strengthen the legal defense against petitions expected to be filed with the Supreme Court challenging the anti-arrest law.

The compromise was reported on July 9, 2026, following discussions in the Knesset and among Haredi representatives. Netanyahu addressed the Knesset plenary before the Haredi members expressed their acceptance of the proposal.