Daphna Liel (N12) reports that Haredi coalition parties have filed a reservation to the Basic Law: Torah Study, reverting to the text passed in the preliminary reading that directly equates Torah learners with IDF servicemembers. The Haredim warn they will block all coalition legislation if the wording is changed, escalating the crisis hours before the planned Knesset votes.
Minutes before the scheduled 11:00 Knesset vote on the second and third readings of the Basic Law: Torah Study, Daphna Liel (N12) reports that Haredi coalition parties have filed a reservation restoring the text to the version that passed the preliminary reading. That version directly equates the rights and obligations of Torah learners with those of IDF servicemembers. The Haredim warn they will block all coalition legislation if the wording is changed.
This development follows a series of reports earlier this morning. At 10:28, The Zioneer reported that the bill's text remained unchanged heading into the 11:00 vote, with Likud pushing a reservation to protect IDF servicemembers and Haredi factions opposing it. The new reservation, according to Liel, effectively cancels any compromise and returns the law to its most contentious form.
The Basic Law: Torah Study has been a flashpoint since its first draft was reported by The Zioneer on June 8. Haredi parties rejected a declarative-only version on July 7, insisting on a practical law that grants actual benefits. Degel HaTorah warned on Thursday morning that it would oppose changes and block coalition legislation if necessary.
The 11:00 vote now hangs in the balance. It remains unclear whether the Knesset will proceed as scheduled, or whether the Haredi reservation will trigger further coalition crisis.
4 developments
- DevelopingHaredi parties reject declarative-only version of Torah Study Basic Law
- StrongMinisterial committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study; Haredi parties call it merely declarative without equal-status clause
- DevelopingKnesset committee advances Basic Law equating Torah study with IDF service
- DevelopingLegal adviser backs away from statement that Torah Study Basic Law mandates equal benefits for yeshiva students and IDF soldiers
Source and signal
- Internal intake