The Knesset on Wednesday evening approved the Basic Law: Torah Study in its first reading, by a vote of 63-53. The bill, which enshrines Torah study as a foundational value and equates it with military service, now advances to committee stage before second and third readings.
The Knesset approved the Basic Law: Torah Study in its first reading Wednesday evening (July 1, 2026) by a vote of 63-53, with results reported at 22:18 Jerusalem. The vote enshrines Torah study as a foundational value and equates it with military service in Israel's Basic Laws. MK Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah), the bill's sponsor, said after the vote: "The State of the Jewish people returns the honor of Torah to its rightful place."
The Zioneer had previously reported on the bill's progress: on Tuesday, the Knesset Committee approved it for first reading despite opposition protests; on Sunday, MK Gafni presented the bill at the committee, stating Torah study preserved the Jewish people. The bill had passed a preliminary Knesset vote earlier in June. As the vote unfolded Wednesday evening, initial reports from N12 confirmed the 63-53 tally. The Zioneer's coverage further noted that three MKs — Solomon, Haskel, and Edelstein — voted against, and opposition leader Naftali Bennett vowed to cancel the law immediately if his party returns to government.
The bill, which establishes Torah study as a basic value alongside military service, has been a flagship for Haredi parties in the current coalition. The vote came after a contentious committee process, as The Zioneer reported. Critics, including journalist Amichai Attali, have called the bill "anti-Zionist" and argued it deepens the Haredi exemption from national burdens. Coalition backers describe it as historic recognition of Torah study's role in preserving the Jewish people.
The bill now moves to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee for preparation for second and third readings. The opposition has signaled it will seek to overturn the law if it returns to power. The underlying crisis over Haredi enlistment, which the bill addresses declaratively, remains unresolved.
5 developments
- StrongKnesset Committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study; coalition races ahead of election recess
- DevelopingKnesset advances Basic Law equating Torah study with IDF service
- StrongMinisterial committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study; Haredi parties call it merely declarative without equal-status clause
- StrongKnesset Committee approves transfer of Torah Study Basic Law; legal adviser opposes
Source and signal
- Internal intake