In a statement following the Knesset's approval of a law, MK Aryeh Deri said the legislature had told the attorney general 'enough of the persecution', while MK Moshe Gafni called the legislation an 'important step', according to reports.
Following the Knesset's approval of the bill freezing arrests of yeshiva students who evade military service, coalition leaders issued further statements. MK Aryeh Deri (Shas) said the legislature had told the attorney general 'enough of the persecution,' while MK Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah) called the legislation an 'important step for the Torah world.' The remarks came after the two had earlier welcomed the bill's passage.
The Knesset passed the bill at 17:46 Jerusalem Tuesday, with 58 MKs in favor and 54 opposed. Three coalition lawmakers — Dan Illouz, Yuli Edelstein, and Sharren Haskel — broke ranks to vote against the legislation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent from the vote. Defense Minister Israel Katz voted in favor, despite the IDF Chief of Staff's warning that the move would create a 'deep rift' with soldiers bearing the burden. Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman filed a High Court petition against the law, and former PM Naftali Bennett called the vote a 'shameful and anti-Zionist moment.'
The Zioneer reported earlier that the deputy attorney general criticized the government decision as a 'radical step.' The bill, which freezes arrests until November 30, 2026, requires yeshiva students to study at least 45 hours per week (40 for kollel students) and includes oversight provisions allowing removal of yeshivas with absenteeism above 20%.
It remains unclear whether the coalition will face further legal challenges or internal dissent over the legislation, beyond the High Court petition already filed.
12 developments
- DevelopingMK Moshe Gafni hails passage of law as 'important step' for Torah world
- StrongKnesset plenum approves splitting attorney general and state prosecutor bill, 59-45
- DevelopingKnesset advances bill extending statute of limitations for sex offenses
- DevelopingKnesset passes final law extending statute of limitations for sex offenses against minors to age 48
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- Internal intake