Knesset Committee to reconvene at 5:00 PM to vote on Basic Law: Torah Study after compromise with Haredi parties

Following a compromise reached with the Haredi factions, the Knesset Committee will reconvene at 5:00 PM Jerusalem time to vote on the Basic Law: Torah Study, according to Knesset sources.

The Knesset Committee will reconvene at 5:00 PM Jerusalem time to vote on the Basic Law: Torah Study, following a compromise reached with the Haredi parties. The session, originally scheduled earlier but postponed for negotiations, now aims to finalize the bill after a series of rapid developments earlier today (Thursday).

At 10:28 AM Jerusalem, reports indicated that Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz reached an agreement to delete Section 2 of the bill, which had recognized Torah study as a fundamental value. Haredi parties conceded and accepted a purely declarative version. The second clause was officially deleted, and Degel HaTorah and Shas issued a joint statement accepting the remaining section as the core. N12 published the updated wording: "Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel." Earlier, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the bill in early June, and the Knesset Committee approved it for first reading on June 30, as The Zioneer reported.

The bill has been a central legislative priority for the coalition, particularly Haredi parties seeking to enshrine Torah study as a value equal to military service. The compromise reportedly addresses concerns from both coalition and opposition lawmakers regarding the bill's wording and implications for the draft exemption framework. The exact details of the compromise have not been disclosed.

The Knesset is expected to hold a plenum vote later this week, possibly Wednesday. The vote today in committee is a procedural step to finalize the text before it goes to the full Knesset.

13 developments

1. 33 minutes ago · 18:16 · 9 JulLatest

   Haredi parties reportedly inclined to accept PM's declarative proposal.

2. 16:55 · 9 Jul

   Knesset Committee to reconvene at 5:00 PM to vote on the bill.

3. 16:54 · 9 Jul

   Second clause of Torah Study Basic Law officially deleted from bill.

• Strong09:24 · 1 JulHaredi parties press Netanyahu to bring Torah Study vote to Knesset plenum today
• Strong13:46 · 9 JunMinisterial committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study; Haredi parties call it merely declarative without equal-status clause
• Strong00:53 · 25 JunNetanyahu and Haredi parties set to advance coalition deal despite protests
• Developing40 minutes ago · 18:09 · 9 JulMK Milbitsky welcomes Haredi retreat on Torah Study Basic Law: 'Excellent' — law to remain declarative

Source and signal

• Internal intake