MK Meir Porush Defends Torah Students' Detention Bill Amid Opposition Outcry

During a heated Knesset debate on Tuesday, MK Meir Porush strongly defended the bill aimed at halting the detention of Torah students, grounding it in the recommendations of the military-professional Shakedi Committee. Porush questioned the IDF Chief of Staff's opposition to the committee's stance, which was formed with his approval. He emphasized that the bill aligns with the committee's goal of preserving core values of the ultra-Orthodox community and protecting Torah students, who study intensively.

Porush recalled that the Shakedi Committee was established in December 2023 by then-Defense Minister Yoav Galant, following the tragic events of Simchat Torah 5784 (October 2023). The committee, led by retired Major General Eliezer Shakedi and composed solely of senior military officers and legal advisors, was tasked with addressing the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men during wartime. Porush highlighted that the committee's recommendations were made with full backing from then IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Defense Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir.

Addressing the Supreme Court, Porush warned against interfering with the legislation, cautioning that such actions would deepen societal divisions and worsen tensions. He accused the court and government legal advisors of pushing Israeli society to the brink and urged them not to "pour oil on the fire." Porush also appealed directly to police officers, urging them not to execute unlawful orders to arrest Torah students, stating that such actions violate both Jewish morality and the law.

Porush concluded by appealing to opposition members with a Jewish conscience to support the bill, noting that tens of thousands of Torah students are currently imprisoned for their studies. He called on them to recognize the impracticality and injustice of labeling 90,000 individuals as criminals and to vote in favor of the legislation. He thanked MK Yinon Azulai for his partnership in advancing the bill despite intense opposition and hatred toward the ultra-Orthodox community.

The bill is set for a final vote, with potential legal challenges expected from the Supreme Court.