Netanyahu Advances Ultra-Orthodox Demands Ahead of Knesset Dissolution
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fulfilled the ultra-Orthodox parties' demands by securing the passage of key laws before the Knesset dissolves ahead of the October 27 elections. Overnight, the Knesset approved in second and third readings the law canceling the kosher reform, completing the ultra-Orthodox legislative package agreed upon in a political deal. This package also includes the Basic Law on Torah Study and a law preventing arrests of draft-dodging ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, all passed with coalition support despite Netanyahu's absence from the votes.
The Knesset session opened at 9:00 AM to debate a law aimed at weakening the Attorney General's powers, which the ultra-Orthodox are expected to support as part of coalition demands, though not formally part of the deal. Other laws likely to gain ultra-Orthodox backing include the Communications Law and legislation enforcing gender separation in academia. The Knesset is set to automatically dissolve on July 17, in line with Netanyahu's plan to hold elections on October 27.
The ultra-Orthodox parties, while not officially in the coalition, maintain their role in Netanyahu's bloc and have postponed the Metropolitan Authorities Law, which would have transferred transportation powers to local authorities in major metropolitan areas. Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers opposed this law fearing it would enable public transportation on Shabbat. The delay is expected to postpone improvements in public transit coordination and infrastructure by at least a year.
The Basic Law on Torah Study enshrines Torah study as a constitutional value to counterbalance human rights protections and aid legal battles against yeshiva conscription. The draft-dodger arrest prevention law extends protections for recognized yeshiva students until November 30, with possible extensions into the next Knesset term. The kosher reform cancellation law reverses the previous government's attempt to decentralize kosher certification authority, a move opposed by ultra-Orthodox and religious Zionist factions.
Additionally, a bill to establish a political investigation committee into the October 7 attacks passed its first reading, though it faces opposition from the political left. The Attorney General weakening bill redefines the role as advisory, allowing the government to override legal opinions except in criminal matters and to hire external legal counsel if dissatisfied. The Communications Law removes structural separations between channel owners and news companies and eliminates a controversial app provision due to ultra-Orthodox objections over Shabbat operation and content concerns.
