What are some of the main laws pushed during Knesset's legislative blitz? - explainer

Israel's Knesset concluded a legislative blitz ahead of its dissolution, passing a series of significant and contentious bills. Among the most notable were measures supported by ultra-Orthodox parties, including a Basic Law on Torah Study and a temporary freeze on the arrest of draft evaders.

The Basic Law: Torah Study, passed with 63 votes in favor and 52 against, declares Torah study a fundamental value in Israel's heritage. Critics argue this law could exacerbate draft evasion issues, especially given the IDF's severe manpower shortages. By enshrining Torah study in basic law, it becomes more difficult for courts to challenge arrangements that allow yeshiva students to avoid mandatory military service, framing such avoidance as upholding a core Israeli value.

A second major bill, passed by a narrow margin of 58-54, sought to temporarily halt the arrest of haredi draft dodgers until November 30. This legislation faced strong legal warnings regarding its balance. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir cautioned that such a law could undermine the concept of the IDF as the "nation's army" with equal service obligations for all, potentially decreasing recruitment across the board.

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

However, the High Court of Justice intervened within a day of the bill's passage, temporarily freezing its implementation. The court's decision leaves the law's future uncertain. Without the court's intervention, over 72,000 haredi men could have continued to evade arrest, potentially normalizing non-enlistment and further burdening IDF reservists and active soldiers.

Another bill, passed with 65 votes for and 51 against, aims to significantly reduce the attorney-general's power to influence and oversee the government. This measure is part of a broader effort by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to curtail the judiciary's oversight capabilities amid ongoing tensions.

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this law would decrease recruitment both from the haredi community and from the general Israeli population by delegitimizing the idea of the IDF as the “nation’s army” in which everyone is equally obligated to serve.