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Israel coalition rushes contentious bills before Knesset dissolves
🇵🇸 Palestine /Elections & Politics

Israel coalition rushes contentious bills before Knesset dissolves

From Times of Israel · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Israel's governing coalition plans to pass several contentious bills in its final week before parliament dissolves ahead of elections.
  • Key legislation includes a law establishing Torah study as a foundational value, pushed by Haredi parties to secure draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
  • The coalition also aims to pass a bill temporarily suspending arrests of yeshiva students evading military service, while simultaneously extending mandatory service for others.

Israel's governing coalition is poised to fast-track a series of contentious bills through their final parliamentary readings in the Knesset's last week before dissolution. With elections looming on either October 20 or 27, the coalition aims to solidify key legislative priorities.

Central to this push is the quasi-constitutional Basic Law on Torah study, championed by Haredi parties. They seek to enshrine Torah study as a foundational value of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, a move seen as crucial for maintaining blanket exemptions from IDF conscription for ultra-Orthodox men. While the latest version removed explicit comparison to military service, critics argue it still effectively legitimizes draft evasion.

Dan Illouz, a Likud MK, has voiced strong opposition, stating the essence of the law remains unchanged and would "serve in practice to legitimize draft evasion." Illouz announced he would not seek re-election in the upcoming Likud primaries due to his stance against legislation perceived to shield Haredi men from military service.

does not change the essence of the law.

— Dan IllouzLikud MK Dan Illouz argued that removing the key clause in the Basic Law on Torah study 'does not change the essence of the law.'

Opposition lawmakers contend that elevating Torah study above other values, such as military service or caring for soldiers, through a Basic Law is a significant shift. The government is also pursuing legislation to halt arrests and prosecutions of young ultra-Orthodox men avoiding service. This bill would suspend enforcement measures against yeshiva students for 90 days, effectively creating a six-month ban.

Simultaneously, the government intends to extend mandatory military service for all other Israelis. The proposed definition of a yeshiva student includes those studying at least 40-45 hours per week at recognized institutions. The IDF and the Knesset committee's legal advisor oppose this measure, while the opposition seeks to block it procedurally, arguing it's being improperly attached to another bill without sufficient debate.

serve in practice to legitimize draft evasion and continued funding and benefits

— Dan IllouzMK Dan Illouz warned that enshrining Torah study as a quasi-constitutional value without explicitly stating it cannot justify draft exemptions would 'serve in practice to legitimize draft evasion and continued funding and benefits' for yeshiva students.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Israel in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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