Knesset passes contentious haredi-backed bill to enshrine Torah study in Israel's Basic Law

Israel's Knesset has passed a contentious bill that enshrines Torah study as a fundamental value within the nation's Basic Law. The legislation, advanced by ultra-Orthodox parties, secured final approval with a vote of 63 lawmakers in favor and 52 against.

Critics of the "Basic Law: Torah Study" bill contend that it promotes draft evasion. They argue that the law enables yeshiva students who do not serve in the military to continue receiving state benefits, a move that comes amid a severe manpower shortage within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

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Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel.

The bill's passage follows weeks of pressure from haredi party leaders, who had threatened to boycott coalition votes and disrupt the legislative agenda. Their aim was to compel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to expedite a series of bills favored by the ultra-Orthodox community.

The law declares that "Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel." Israel, which lacks a formal constitution, relies on a series of Basic Laws enacted by the Knesset to establish its legal framework.

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act responsibly and not vote in favor of legislation that would severely harm the IDF during wartime, in defiance of the dramatic warning issued by the IDF chief of staff.

Opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid, had urged coalition members to vote responsibly, warning that the legislation would severely harm the IDF during wartime. They stated that "the shameful role of those who support the draft-evasion law will remain forever before the eyes of the citizens of Israel who serve in the military and participate in the workforce."

The bill is part of a broader legislative push by the coalition before the Knesset's recess for elections. This agenda has included other controversial measures, such as weakening the attorney-general's role and reforming the broadcasting sector. Haredi parties have previously boycotted votes on coalition legislation when their own bills were not advancing quickly enough. Concerns remain that even with wording changes, the law's core intent to exempt haredim from military service and continue funding yeshivas could be used to justify future actions.

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The shameful role of those who support the draft-evasion law will remain forever before the eyes of the citizens of Israel who serve in the military and participate in the workforce.