Israeli Knesset Passes Basic Law on Torah Study Amid Controversy

The 24th Knesset is nearing its final session before dissolution, with the coalition pushing to pass several contentious laws before the session ends this Friday. Central among these is the Basic Law: Torah Study, which passed its second and third readings on Monday with a vote of 63 to 52. Concurrently, the government is advancing a bill to freeze arrests of draft-dodging ultra-Orthodox men, a move criticized by the State Attorney's Office for potential unconstitutionality. Due to concerns about opposition from Religious Zionist MKs, ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding the arrest freeze bill be passed alongside the Torah Study law tonight. Another bill on kosher certification, promoted by Shas, is expected to be voted on Tuesday. To ensure attendance for these critical votes, MKs and aides are staying in hotels near the Knesset.

On Thursday, coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz announced a deal with ultra-Orthodox parties to remove Section 2, known as the "Justice Balances" clause, from the Torah Study bill. This clause could have impacted yeshiva funding, exemptions from military service, and gender segregation. Likud warned that if this practical clause remained, the law would be blocked. Following this, the ultra-Orthodox parties relented, and the bill was approved for further readings. MK Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, said, "The State of Israel is restoring the honor of the Torah and its learners to their rightful place." The law will undergo final approval next week.

The law now includes only its core provision, recognizing Torah study as a fundamental value in Jewish heritage. Ultra-Orthodox parties stated this was the law's essence and opposed adding other provisions, suggesting those be pursued through separate legislation. The State Attorney's Office warned that even without the removed clause, the law could influence future legal challenges related to military conscription and government funding.

Earlier Monday, testimonies from combat trauma survivors demanding legal recognition were heard in the Knesset. One survivor described collecting the remains of fallen comrades under fire, while Einav Danino, mother of Ouri Danino who was kidnapped and killed by Hamas, urged lawmakers to support these soldiers. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism pledged to champion their cause.

Separately, Emmanuel Wizer, a judge on the Likud party court, publicly criticized the party leadership for yielding to ultra-Orthodox demands and failing to legislate against exemptions from military service. He warned that if the Torah Study law or the arrest freeze bill passes with Likud's support, he will quit the party and campaign against it in upcoming elections.