Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Parties Drop Controversial Clause in Basic Law on Torah Study

The ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and Degel HaTorah have agreed to remove a contentious clause from the Basic Law on Torah Study following a dispute with the Likud party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The original proposal included a clause requiring a balance between the value of Torah study and other fundamental state values. However, the ultra-Orthodox factions opposed expanding the law and insisted on deleting this clause entirely.

The compromise reached limits the law to a declarative statement recognizing Torah study as a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people, without mandating any legal balancing with other constitutional values. Coalition chairman Ofir Katz announced that the Knesset committee will reconvene to vote on the revised proposal.

Shas and Degel HaTorah emphasized that they do not agree to alter the law’s essence and suggested that any additional provisions should be pursued through separate legislation. The Likud views the compromise as a political achievement, as it removes the clause that was the main source of contention. This change effectively renders the Basic Law on Torah Study largely symbolic rather than establishing a constitutional mechanism for balancing conflicting values.