Israeli Coalition Advances Key Legislation on Torah Study, Military Service, and Media Reform

The Israeli coalition is actively promoting several significant legislative measures, some already approved and others in progress, ahead of upcoming elections. Among the key initiatives is a Basic Law to enshrine Torah study as a fundamental state value. The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has approved extending mandatory military service in the IDF to 32 months, though the military has indicated a need for 36 months due to operational demands.

Another approved proposal freezes the detention of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers until after the elections. The coalition is also pushing to continue subsidies for daycare centers serving ultra-Orthodox families. In the communications sector, a media law has been revised to remove some broad provisions, with the main practical impact benefiting Channel 14 through regulatory relaxations.

The coalition is advancing reforms to the process for establishing political inquiry committees, aiming to alter their formation and investigative mechanisms. A bill proposes splitting the role of Attorney General into two separate positions: one legal advisor to the government and one general prosecutor overseeing criminal prosecutions. Additionally, the coalition seeks to repeal recent kosher certification reforms to restore previous supervision and certification arrangements, though this may reduce competition and raise food prices.

On the economic front, the coalition plans to promote measures including lowering import barriers, reducing regulation, combating monopolies, and increasing banking transparency. However, a Basic Law on military service, previously discussed as part of service regulation, is not expected to advance in the near legislative session.