Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has approved a basic law bill on Torah study at its first reading.
At a plenary session held on July 1, 63 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, which was initiated by religious parties, while 53 voted against it. Because the bill carries basic law status, a minimum of 61 votes in support was required for it to pass the first reading.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also attended the Knesset session and took part in the vote.
Ruling Likud Party lawmakers Dan Iluz and Yuli Edelstein voted against the bill.
The original version of the bill envisaged equating religious study at yeshivas with military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in terms of status, rights and benefits. However, that provision was subsequently removed from the draft.
Under the version currently under discussion, Torah study is enshrined as one of the core values of the State of Israel. The document emphasises that individuals who study the Torah are considered to be making a significant contribution to the State of Israel.
For the bill to become law, it must successfully pass two further readings in the Knesset.