Knesset Committee Approves Basic Law on Torah Study Amid Controversy

The Knesset Committee approved in a 10-4 vote the first reading of a Basic Law proposal that aims to establish Torah study as a constitutional value in Israel. The law seeks to recognize Torah study as a fundamental heritage of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, intending to balance it against other constitutional values. The bill is scheduled for a first reading in the Knesset plenum tomorrow, with hopes to complete its second and third readings before the Knesset dissolves on July 16.

Simultaneously, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee began discussing a law exempting yeshiva students from arrests. Despite strong criticism from the committee's legal advisor, Attorney Arbel Astrakhan, who warned about the concealed implications and procedural irregularities, the committee approved the proposal. Astrakhan and Deputy Legal Advisor Avital Sompolinsky expressed concerns about the bill's unclear purpose and the lack of consultation with relevant government ministries, emphasizing that the bill does not resemble a typical legislative proposal.

Opposition voices, including MK Merav Michaeli of the Democratic Camp, condemned the rapid legislative process, calling it a flawed and disrespectful way to pass a Basic Law. Opposition coordinator MK Merav Ben Ari accused the majority of disrespecting reservists on their recognition day. Orly Erez-Lachovski, director of the Reform Center for Religion and State, criticized the rushed legislation as undermining constitutional principles and warned it could be struck down by the Supreme Court. She also described the law as "non-Jewish legislation." The debate highlighted deep divisions over the role of Torah study and the status of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israeli society.