The Basic Law: Torah Study is expected to pass its first Knesset reading tonight, according to political commentator Chaim Cohen. The bill, stripped of any clause equating Torah study with military service, is described by critics as purely declarative with no practical legal or field-level impact.
The Basic Law: Torah Study is expected to pass its first Knesset reading Wednesday evening, according to political commentator Chaim Cohen. The bill, which Cohen describes as 'declarative only' with no effect in practice or in legal terms, has been stripped of any clause equating Torah study with military service — a key provision that drew sharp opposition in earlier versions. Cohen assessed that the High Court may not even strike it down 'because there isn't even an ounce of meat in it.'
The bill's advancement follows months of political wrangling. As The Zioneer reported on June 30, an earlier version of the law failed in a Knesset plenum vote after Shas and United Torah Judaism absented themselves. That version had included an equal-status clause equating Torah learning with IDF service, which was subsequently removed. Minister Zeev Elkin confirmed on June 10 that the comparison clause would be dropped. Opponents, including MK Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid), had called the earlier draft 'much worse' than the original.
The outcome of tonight's vote and the bill's eventual fate — particularly whether the High Court would review it — remain open questions. Cohen's characterization suggests that even the bill's backers now view it as largely symbolic.
4 developments
- DevelopingKnesset Committee erupts in heated debate over Torah Study Basic Law and draft crisis
- DevelopingMK Moshe Tur-Paz says Torah study bill is 'a desecration of Torah', will study without exemption
- DevelopingMK Stern: new Torah study Basic Law worse than first draft
- DevelopingProposed Basic Law equating Torah study with national service draws fire from allies
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