Israeli Parliament Votes on Basic Law to Elevate Torah Study Amid Opposition Warnings

The Israeli Knesset is voting on Monday evening on a Basic Law proposal to elevate Torah study, marking its second and third readings. Opposition leaders, including Hili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel, issued a joint statement urging coalition members to vote against the bill, warning it would harm the Israel Defense Forces during wartime and contradict the Chief of Staff's stark warnings. Signatories of the statement include opposition leader Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan. They accused supporters of the bill of endorsing draft evasion and called on coalition members to act responsibly. Defense Minister Benny Gantz was asked to join the statement but declined.

Within the coalition, disagreements surfaced over which bill should follow this vote. Ultra-Orthodox MKs demand legislation to prevent arrests of draft dodgers, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insists on securing agreements on all upcoming bills before proceeding. Last week, coalition members agreed the law would be declarative only, not equating Torah learners' rights with those serving in the IDF. Ultra-Orthodox factions agreed to include a clause defining Torah study as a "fundamental value in the Jewish people's heritage."

Senior judicial officials told Kan News that despite these changes, the law is not merely declarative. They said it aims to constrain the courts, government legal advisors, and ministries, enabling benefits for draft evaders. They explained that Basic Laws form the legal foundation for rulings, and opponents of conscription will argue that all laws and rulings must be interpreted in light of this law's declaration rather than equality principles absent from any law. This move is seen as a legal basis for budget reallocations, halting arrests, and exemptions from military service for Haredim.

Separately, the Likud party plans to vote on Prime Minister Netanyahu's proposal regarding eight reserved seats and delaying party primaries, with appeals to Likud MKs to withdraw from primaries in exchange for positions.