Israeli Knesset Committee Approves Second and Third Readings of Yeshiva Students' Arrest Freeze Law

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by MK Boaz Bismuth, approved the Security Service Law amendment concerning the integration of yeshiva students, known as the "Arrests Law," for its second and third readings on Sunday. This marks a significant step toward freezing the arrests of Torah students in Israel. MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism praised the approval, stating it sends a message that the majority of the Jewish population opposes the detention of Torah learners and expressed hope for the law's final approval in the Knesset plenary later this week.

However, the committee's approval came amid sharp criticism from the Knesset's legal advisor, Attorney Shagit Afik, who argued that the law's wording had been substantially altered from the original version developed over 86 meetings. Afik warned that the new arrangement diverges from the law's initial objectives and undermines the legislative process due to time constraints at the end of the Knesset's term.

The legislation's progress also unfolded against coalition tensions, particularly between Likud and Degel HaTorah, over the wording of the Basic Law on Torah Study. Coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz indicated that Likud might submit reservations regarding the law due to disagreements with Degel HaTorah.

In a heated committee debate, MK Yaakov Asher (United Torah Judaism) sharply criticized the legal advisors, highlighting the surge in the number of yeshiva students classified as draft evaders, from 15,000 two years ago to 90,000 currently. He condemned the legal decisions that led to this situation, emphasizing that these students are law-abiding citizens whose only "offense" is Torah study.

Meanwhile, yeshiva leaders are preparing for ongoing arrests amid this legislative turmoil. Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach of Ateret Shlomo yeshiva shared his personal phone number with students for direct contact in case of arrest. Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel of Mir yeshiva issued a rare letter instructing students not to approach recruitment offices or border crossings without committee approval.

The Knesset plenary is expected to vote on the "Arrests Law" and the Basic Law on Torah Study later this week.