MK Meir Porush Condemns Opposition for Voting Against Torah Study Bill

During a heated Knesset debate on the "Basic Law: Torah Study" bill on Monday, MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism delivered a forceful speech defending the status of yeshiva students and their exemption from military service. Porush addressed tens of thousands of Haredi yeshiva students and kollelim scholars, describing their rigorous daily schedule from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. and highlighting their economic hardships, which he said place them well below the poverty line due to their dedication to Torah study.

Porush criticized the opposition for their planned vote against the bill, accusing them of hatred and blind animosity toward the Haredi community. He stated that the opposition was voting not just against the coalition but against the Torah itself, calling on them to feel shame. He also condemned the recent public campaigns and government measures targeting the Haredi population, including arrests and economic sanctions, which he described as attempts to break their spirit.

To support his stance, Porush cited findings from the IDF's Shakedi Committee, established after the October 7 attacks to examine the integration of Haredim into the military. He quoted the committee's recommendation to preserve the core values of the Haredi world and protect full-time Torah learners who study three sections daily. Porush emphasized that Torah study is a foundational value of the Jewish people and that the bill represents a significant declarative step, even though Torah study does not require official Knesset recognition to continue.

The speech came ahead of a critical vote on the bill, marking a new peak in the ongoing controversy over Haredi conscription and status regulation. Porush's remarks underscored the deep divisions within Israeli society regarding the military draft and the place of Torah study in national identity.