The coalition passed both the Basic Law: Torah Study and the bill freezing arrests of draft-dodging yeshiva students in a dramatic night session, Channel 14 reports. The twin legislative moves fulfill a key Haredi demand and mark a breakthrough in the coalition standoff over military service.
Coalition lawmakers approved both the Basic Law: Torah Study and the bill freezing arrests of draft-dodging yeshiva students in a late-night Knesset vote, Channel 14 reported Tuesday evening. The twin legislative moves fulfill key demands by the Haredi parties, which had threatened to block all coalition legislation unless the laws passed. The Basic Law: Torah Study enshrines the value of Torah study as a fundamental principle of the state, while the freeze bill halts enforcement of conscription against yeshiva students for a defined period. The opposition had strongly opposed both bills, arguing they privilege Torah study over military service and undermine equality. The coalition's passage of these laws represents a significant breakthrough after months of negotiations and internal coalition crises, as The Zioneer has previously documented. The Knesset is expected to disperse soon, and the coalition prioritized these votes before the end of the session. The exact margins of the vote were not immediately reported.
- DevelopingCoalition leaders agree: Basic Law Torah Study and freeze on draft-dodger arrests to pass before Knesset disperses
- StrongUnited Torah Judaism joins Shas in blocking coalition legislation unless draft-evader arrests end and Torah study Basic Law passes
- StrongHaredi parties threaten to boycott all coalition legislation unless arrest law passes next
- DevelopingHaredi source: draft-evader arrest-freeze bill stands alone, not tied to Torah Study Basic Law
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