The Knesset approved the Basic Law: Torah Study in its final reading Monday evening, according to i24NEWS. Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz broke with the coalition to vote against the bill, which now becomes part of Israel's constitutional framework.
The Knesset passed the Basic Law: Torah Study in its final reading Monday evening, with Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz voting against the coalition bill, according to i24NEWS. The law, which equates Torah study with military service and provides a constitutional basis for military service deferrals for yeshiva students, now becomes part of Israel's constitutional framework.
The Zioneer's coverage tracked the vote's progression from early evening. At 21:16 Jerusalem, the desk reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu would not attend the vote and that coalition sources projected a 63-64 majority. Shortly after, as voting began, the coalition defeated all reservations with a narrow 61-vote majority. By 21:16 Jerusalem, the final tally of 63-52 was confirmed. The new i24NEWS report adds the specific dissent of the two Likud lawmakers, underscoring cracks in coalition unity on the issue.
The legislation has been a central point of contention in the current Knesset session. The Zioneer reported on June 30 that the Knesset Committee approved the bill for first reading, and on July 9 that a softened version advanced for final readings. The coalition raced to secure passage before the election recess. The Basic Law faced opposition from the High Court of Justice, which has previously struck down attempts to codify the exemption from military service for Torah scholars.
It remains to be seen whether the law will withstand expected legal challenges. The two Likud defections also highlight ongoing internal coalition tensions over the issue.
5 developments
- DevelopingAryeh Deri hails first-reading passage of Basic Law: Torah Study as 'historic correction'
- StrongShas leader Deri demands Torah Study Basic Law vote as condition for coalition support
- DevelopingKnesset Committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study for final readings; plenum vote next week
- DevelopingMK Moshe Gafni on the Basic Law: Torah Study: 'The State of the Jewish people returns Torah honor to its rightful place'
Source and signal
- Internal intake