Israeli Knesset Rushes to Pass Controversial Bills Before Dissolution

With only 24 hours remaining before the 25th Knesset dissolves, the Israeli coalition is racing to finalize several contentious laws. These include legislation to weaken media independence, extend mandatory military service, and grant special status to Torah study. The legislative push follows a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties, who secured laws favoring their interests in exchange for supporting Netanyahu's agenda.

Among the laws already passed are the Basic Law: Torah Study, which recognizes Torah study as a fundamental national value, and a law freezing the arrest of military draft evaders, granting them immunity from prosecution. Both laws have faced petitions to Israel's High Court of Justice, with the draft evasion law currently suspended pending judicial review. Other approved bills include repealing the previous government's kosher certification reform, restoring exclusive authority to the Chief Rabbinate, and reducing the powers of the attorney general, allowing the government greater control over legal representation and appointments.

The Knesset also approved expanding gender-segregated academic programs in higher education, a move challenged in court. Pending final approval are a sweeping media reform bill and legislation to extend compulsory military service from 30 to 32 months. The media reform bill would increase government influence over media ownership, advertising, and news independence, sparking multiple court petitions. The military service extension aims to address IDF manpower shortages but comes amid ongoing delays in enforcing ultra-Orthodox enlistment.

Prime Minister Netanyahu was notably absent from several key votes. The High Court is expected to hear challenges to these laws in the coming weeks, with Supreme Court President Isaac Amit signaling possible judicial intervention. The legislative session's conclusion marks a significant and controversial shift in Israeli law just before the Knesset's dissolution.