MK Dan Illouz (Likud) said the removal of the critical clause from the Torah Study Basic Law is a political trick and that the Haredim have won again, according to Eli Hirshman (N12). He claimed the law will effectively legitimize draft evasion.
MK Dan Illouz (Likud) escalated his criticism of the Torah Study Basic Law this evening, telling Eli Hirshman (N12) that the removal of a key clause from the bill is a 'political trick' that will effectively legitimize draft evasion. Illouz's statement came during the Knesset committee vote on the legislation, which has been a central point of contention within the coalition. Earlier today, Illouz had already warned that the law, which enshrines Torah study as a supreme value, would serve to legitimize draft evasion if it did not explicitly clarify that it does not constitute grounds for exemption from military service.
The Zioneer has been tracking this story throughout the day. At 17:19 Jerusalem time, we first reported Illouz's initial statement (version 1) that the proposed Basic Law without an exemption clarification would legitimize draft evasion. In a subsequent update at the same time (version 2), Illouz called the removal of the critical clause a 'political trick' and declared that the 'Haredim won again.' A third version at the same timestamp added the observation that Shas MKs Yossi Taieb and Yoni Masariki were seen studying the 'Or HaChaim' holy book during the committee vote, as reported by Weissberg. The source of Illouz's comments has been consistent: Eli Hirshman of N12.
The Zioneer previously reported that Illouz, a Likud MK who emerged as a key internal critic of the coalition, voted against the Torah Study Basic Law in the Knesset plenum on June 10 (as reported by Amit Segal, N12). In earlier statements, Illouz indicated he would have supported the bill if 'necessary changes' were made to turn it from a 'fake law' into a real one, but no agreement was reached. The current Basic Law, if passed, would codify Torah study as a supreme value, and the removal of the clause that would have equated study with military service has been seen as a concession by Haredi parties.
It remains unclear whether the committee vote has concluded and what the final outcome of the vote will be. The law's path to final passage in the Knesset plenum is still pending, and Illouz's continued opposition signals potential coalition discord.
3 developments
- DevelopingMK Dan Illouz says he would have backed the draft bill if 'necessary changes' were made
- DevelopingEdelstein and Illouz vote against Torah Study Basic Law
- DevelopingMK Illouz: 'We must learn to say no to the Haredi parties'
- DevelopingMK Dan Illouz slams Religious Zionism party over Torah study bill
Source and signal
- Internal intake