Israeli Parliament Passes Controversial Basic Law on Torah Study Amid Political Turmoil

On July 13, 2026, the Israeli Knesset approved the Basic Law on Torah Study in a third and final reading, passing it with 63 votes in favor and 52 against. The vote took place in the absence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was part of a political deal between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties. Following the law's passage, the ultra-Orthodox factions issued an ultimatum stating they would not support any coalition legislation unless the next law passed was the Detention Law, a demand contested by the Religious Zionist party, which insists the next law should be theirs.

The legislation sparked intense political controversy and sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Former Prime Minister and Yachdav party head Naftali Bennett condemned the law as "a deliberate and conscious harm to the IDF throughout the war and until today," accusing the government of abandoning soldiers and Torah values. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, called the law a betrayal of IDF soldiers and vowed to repeal it in the next government. Efrat Rayten, head of the Democrats faction, accused Netanyahu of enshrining draft evasion into law as part of a political deal with ultra-Orthodox leaders to secure electoral support.

In contrast, coalition members praised the law. Aryeh Deri, chairman of Shas, hailed the legislation as a historic milestone recognizing the supreme value of the Torah and its scholars in the Jewish state. Moshe Gafni, leader of Degel HaTorah and the bill’s sponsor, described the law as a moral compass for the country, affirming Torah study as the foundation of the Jewish people's present and future in Israel.

After the vote, the Knesset paused to discuss other pending legislation, including the extension of military service, communications law, and budget transfers. The political storm surrounding the Basic Law on Torah Study highlights deep divisions over military service exemptions and the role of religion in Israeli society, with the ultra-Orthodox parties leveraging their coalition power to advance their agenda ahead of the upcoming elections.