Israeli Knesset Approves Temporary Freeze on Yeshiva Students' Arrests Until 2026

The Israeli Knesset passed in its second and third readings a temporary amendment to the Security Service Law, freezing arrests of yeshiva students engaged in full-time Torah study. The law was approved by a narrow majority of 58 to 54 votes on Tuesday evening. It will remain in effect from its publication until November 30, 2026. The legislation applies to yeshiva students studying at least 45 hours weekly, or 40 hours for kollel members, with the Defense Minister tasked to designate eligible yeshivas based on criteria set by regulations.

The law introduces oversight mechanisms to monitor student attendance. If a yeshiva has 20% or more repeated absences, it will receive a warning, and if uncorrected, be removed from the approved list, requiring its students to register elsewhere. Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, supported the law, stating arrests were ineffective and harmed recruitment efforts, emphasizing that those studying Torah should be able to do so without fear, while others must enlist.

Opposition MK Merav Ben Ari criticized the law as a continuation of the coalition's failure to address the military draft crisis, noting existing frameworks that combine Torah study and military service. Haredi parties welcomed the legislation. Shas leader Aryeh Deri called it "the end of the era of arrests," asserting the Knesset sent a clear message against harming Torah learners. Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni described it as an important step to protect Torah study and pledged to continue strengthening yeshiva students' status.

This approval follows the recent passage of the Basic Law: Torah Study and marks another legislative success for the Haredi factions amid the coalition's final days of the Knesset session. Opposition parties Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu have petitioned against the law.