Israeli Coalition Races to Pass Controversial Laws Before Knesset Dissolution

With the Knesset set to dissolve by the end of the week, the Israeli coalition is pushing to pass a series of contentious laws before the official start of the election period. This legislative blitz is enabled by a deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox party leaders, prioritizing laws important to the Haredi community, including the Basic Law on Torah Study and the law concerning draft evaders, in exchange for advancing bills that weaken the Attorney General's role and reform the media sector.

The Basic Law on Torah Study, aimed at defining Torah study as a fundamental value of the state, is expected to pass its second and third readings imminently. The law was softened after Netanyahu pressured the Haredi parties to remove a clause that explicitly balanced Torah study against other state values. Deputy Attorney General Avital Sompolinsky warned that the removal of this clause would not significantly change the legal reality but would provide courts with new tools. Haredi MK Moshe Gafni praised the law as restoring honor to Torah and its students, while opposition figures like Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eizenkot condemned it as a disgrace and a threat to national cohesion.

The draft evader law proposes freezing arrest procedures for yeshiva students classified as "Toratam Omanutam" for up to 90 days, with the temporary provision lasting until November 30, 2026. Legal advisors cautioned that this effectively grants immunity to a specific group while maintaining sanctions against others, raising concerns about unequal treatment. Opposition parties criticized the law as dividing society and disrespecting IDF soldiers, and some coalition members are expected to oppose it in the plenum.

Another key bill aims to diminish the Attorney General's authority by allowing the government to reject legal opinions and increasing the Justice Minister's oversight over the Attorney General. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara strongly opposed the bill, describing it as destructive to the role of legal oversight and turning law enforcers into political dependents.

The coalition is also advancing a sweeping media reform led by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, which restructures news broadcasting and commercial ties in the media market. Despite professional and legal opposition warning of serious flaws and risks to free media, the bill is being fast-tracked under a special parliamentary committee. Karhi defends the reform as necessary and accuses critics of left-wing bias.

Additional legislation includes a kosher certification reform that would end market competition by returning control to the Chief Rabbinate, potentially increasing costs and food prices, and a bill expanding gender segregation in higher education institutions beyond classrooms to public spaces, overturning a Supreme Court ruling. The latter sparked protests and accusations from opposition members of undermining women's rights.

As the Knesset races toward its dissolution, these laws reflect deep political compromises and intensifying societal divisions ahead of the upcoming elections.