Israeli Knesset Approves Temporary Suspension of Yeshiva Student Arrests Amid Sharp Political Divide

The Israeli Knesset passed a controversial amendment to the Security Service Law (Amendment No. 28) on Tuesday evening, temporarily freezing the arrests of yeshiva students who refuse military conscription. The bill passed narrowly with 58 votes in favor and 54 against, sparking immediate political upheaval within the coalition.

Sharren Haskel of the National Right party, who voted against the bill contrary to coalition lines, resigned from her position as Deputy Foreign Minister shortly after the vote. Former Likud MK Dan Illouz, who recently left the party, condemned the law as "a spit in the face." Meanwhile, ultra-Orthodox parties welcomed the legislation. Shas leader Aryeh Deri praised the law as a correction of a historic injustice against Torah scholars, emphasizing the importance of Torah study to Israeli identity. Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni called it a significant step to protect Torah learners, while United Torah Judaism faction leader Uri Maklev warned that the fight for full recognition of Torah study status is ongoing and criticized attempts by Religious Zionists to condition recognition on military service.

Opposition figures fiercely criticized the law. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called it an "anti-Zionist low point" that disrespects soldiers and their families amid ongoing conflict. "Yesh Atid" leader Yair Golan described the vote as one of the Knesset's worst moments, expressing solidarity with soldiers and bereaved families. Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced his party would petition the Supreme Court against the law, warning it could lead to greater national disaster. Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of weakening the military during wartime by enabling draft evasion.

Following the law's approval, multiple petitions were filed to the Supreme Court by opposition parties and civil organizations. Aryeh Deri condemned these legal challenges as attempts to undermine the right-wing bloc and sow division in Israeli society, asserting that the public desires unity and consensus rather than fragmentation.