Israeli Parliament Approves Controversial Laws in Final 24 Hours Before Dissolution

In the last 24 hours before the dissolution of Israel's 25th Knesset, the coalition pushed through a series of significant and contentious laws. These include legislation weakening the media, extending mandatory military service, and enshrining gender segregation in academia. The legislative blitz is part of a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties, with both sides approving laws they prioritized.

Among the approved laws is the Basic Law on Torah Study, granting Torah study the status of a "fundamental value," passed by a 63-52 vote in Netanyahu's absence. This law has already prompted petitions to the Supreme Court. Another law freezes the detention of draft dodgers, granting them immunity from military prosecution; it passed 58-54 despite warnings from the IDF Chief of Staff about its negative impact on military discipline. The Supreme Court has temporarily halted this law pending further review.

The Knesset also repealed the previous government's kosher certification reform, consolidating authority under the Chief Rabbinate and local kosher authorities. Additionally, a law weakening the role of the Attorney General was passed 65-51, allowing the government to restrict the Attorney General's appearances in the Supreme Court and appoint outside counsel for government representation. This law is also facing Supreme Court challenges.

The gender segregation law, approved 52-43, expands gender separation in higher education institutions, drawing further legal petitions. Meanwhile, the coalition intends to pass a law weakening the media landscape before the Knesset dissolves, which would allow government-favored media owners economic benefits, remove restrictions on cross-ownership, and alter news independence rules.

Lastly, a bill to extend mandatory military service from 30 to 32 months is pending approval, responding to IDF manpower shortages amid ongoing draft evasion and stalled ultra-Orthodox recruitment legislation. The legislative process has been marked by multiple Supreme Court petitions seeking injunctions, with justices signaling possible interim orders if the laws are enacted.

Summary: In its final day before dissolution, Israel's 25th Knesset approved several controversial laws affecting military service, media regulation, religious authority, and gender segregation, amid political deals and Supreme Court challenges.