Knesset Debate on Yeshiva Students' Military Service Erupts in Heated Clash

A Knesset committee discussion on a bill regulating the military service of yeshiva students escalated into a loud confrontation on Sunday, forcing the committee chairman to call a recess. The bill aims to formalize the status of yeshiva students and prevent arrests of draft evaders, but it sparked fierce disagreement between coalition and opposition members.

Housing and Construction Minister and United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf asserted that the defense forces currently have enough soldiers, a statement that provoked strong backlash. Opposition MK Merav Cohen cited the war's toll, noting there are 26,000 wounded soldiers and questioned who would replace them. MK Oded Forer sharply criticized Goldknopf, accusing him of discriminating between the blood of different children, which intensified the dispute.

Committee chairman MK Ofir Katz interrupted the session due to the loss of control and ordered a break until 11:30 a.m. The debate reflects ongoing tensions over the conscription of yeshiva students, with recent Knesset discussions also focusing on a Basic Law on Torah study.

Knesset legal advisor Attorney Shagit Afik condemned the legislative process as improper, arguing that the bill underwent significant changes after initial approval, which she deemed irregular. She highlighted that the committee held 86 meetings under different chairpersons but that the current bill only retained a small part of the original content.

MK Yinon Azoulay of Shas defended the bill, emphasizing that it ensures full equality in conscription and calls for freezing arrests while maintaining sanctions as ruled by the Supreme Court. He stated the law targets only those whose primary occupation is Torah study, requiring others to enlist.

Deputy legal advisor Attorney Miri Frenkel Shor stressed the importance of embedding economic sanctions in the legislation to align with the law's recruitment goals. The intense debate underscores the deep divisions over the future of yeshiva students’ military service in Israel.