Knesset to Hold Four Debates on Torah Study Basic Law as Netanyahu’s Ultra-Orthodox Deal Hits Legal Hurdle

The Knesset Committee is set to hold four debates next week on a Basic Law proposal on Torah study, which seeks to enshrine Torah learning as a foundational value in Israel. The bill was submitted by MKs Moshe Gafni, Yaakov Asher, and Yitzhak Pindrus, and is now coming up for discussion after comments from the ministerial committee on legislation.

The updated draft removed wording stating that “the State of Israel sees supreme importance in encouraging Torah study.” It also dropped a clause that would have defined those who devote themselves to Torah study as performing meaningful service to the State of Israel. The explanatory notes say that “Torah study has always been the cornerstone of the existence of the Jewish nation,” and that anchoring it as a basic value is intended to create “a balance” with other foundational values.

The sponsors say the bill also addresses a legal issue that the Supreme Court asked the Knesset to regulate, in light of earlier rulings concerning the Defense Service Law. The proposal is identical to one previously placed before the 24th Knesset.

Separately, Channel 13 reported Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to tighten cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties ran into a serious legal obstacle. The Basic Law, which was meant to give Torah scholars status and financial conditions equal to those of IDF servicemembers, was stopped at the last minute after the Knesset legal adviser said the filing process was improper. Following that ruling, the ministerial committee’s agenda was changed, and Shas’s bid to claim political credit for passing the law this week was blocked.