Jerusalem, July 14 – Israel’s parliament (Knesset) passed a basic law on Torah study in its second and third readings. The vote was 63 in favor and 52 against. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not participate in the vote.
During the vote, deputies Yuli Edelstein and Dan Iluz, who explained their departure from the Likud party, voted against the bill.
The debate on the bill in the Knesset lasted approximately 8 hours. The discussions were marked by sharp criticism of the government by opposition deputies. Opposition representatives stated that the law would negatively affect the activities of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and would disrupt the balance in military service.
Opposition party leaders also called on their deputies not to support the bill. In their view, the law could create legal privileges for students of religious schools (yeshivas) regarding military service, strengthening the sense of injustice in society.
A number of amendments were made to the bill in its final stage. Notably, the legal protections granted to yeshiva students do not align with the rights of soldiers serving in the military reserve. However, given its status as a basic law, this document is expected to provide legal grounds for exempting religious students from military service in future court decisions.
The law establishes Torah study as a fundamental national and spiritual value for the State of Israel. According to a number of legal experts, this provision could be used as a legal argument in future court decisions regarding the exemption of religious students from military service.
At the same time, disagreements continue within the government coalition regarding other bills related to military service. The Religious Zionism party has not yet made a final decision on whether to support or oppose a bill related to halting the suspension of funding for yeshiva students’ exemption from military service.
Party representatives stated that they do not intend to support any initiative that could contradict the interests of the Israeli army.
On the other hand, the political faction led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is demanding that judicial reform bills, as well as bills providing for the development of Jewish settlements on the West Bank of the Jordan River, remain on the agenda and be adopted in the near future.