Israeli Parliament Approves Controversial Laws Ahead of Dissolution

With just one day remaining before the dissolution of Israel's 25th Knesset, the coalition is rushing to pass a series of significant and contentious laws. This legislative blitz is part of a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties, who exchanged support for each other's legislative priorities.

Among the laws approved are the Basic Law on Torah Study, granting Torah study the status of a "fundamental value," and the law freezing the detention of draft dodgers, which grants immunity from military prosecution. Both laws sparked petitions to the Supreme Court, which has temporarily suspended the draft dodger law pending further review. Another approved law cancels the previous government's kosher certification reform, centralizing kosher authority under the Chief Rabbinate and limiting competition.

The Knesset also passed a law weakening the role of the Attorney General, allowing the government to bar the Attorney General from Supreme Court appearances and appoint other lawyers for such cases. This law places the Attorney General under the supervision of the Justice Minister and has also faced legal challenges. Additionally, a law expanding gender segregation in higher education was approved, prompting further Supreme Court petitions.

Pending approval before the Knesset dissolves is a law aimed at weakening the media, which would alter the media market by granting economic benefits to government-aligned outlets, changing advertising budget allocations, and removing restrictions on cross-ownership and sponsorships. The law would also redefine "small channels," exempting them from maintaining independent news divisions.

Another expected law would extend mandatory military service from 30 to 32 months, responding to manpower shortages in the Israel Defense Forces amid ongoing challenges in recruiting ultra-Orthodox soldiers. The legislative process has been marked by multiple Supreme Court petitions seeking injunctions, with justices indicating potential future intervention if these laws are enacted.

Summary: In the final day before the 25th Knesset dissolves, Israel's coalition government passed several controversial laws affecting Torah study, military draft exemptions, kosher certification, the Attorney General's role, and gender segregation in academia, while pending laws aim to weaken the media and extend military service. These moves have triggered multiple Supreme Court petitions and legal scrutiny.