Knesset Legal Adviser Attorney Sagit Afik warned the Knesset Committee chair that despite the desire to advance the Basic Law: Torah Study quickly, the legislative process must maintain a 'particularly high' standard of propriety. Afik added in her letter that even that would 'not heal the defect' of the decision to transfer the bill's discussion from the Constitution Committee.
Knesset Legal Adviser Attorney Sagit Afik sent a formal warning to Knesset Committee Chair MK Ofir Katz (Likud) on Thursday, cautioning that the accelerated push for the Basic Law: Torah Study must adhere to a 'particularly high' standard of legislative propriety. In her letter, Afik noted that even strict adherence to procedure would 'not heal the defect' of the coalition's decision to transfer the bill from the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to the Knesset Committee — a move she had previously opposed.
The warning comes amid a fast-tracked legislative process. As The Zioneer reported on June 22, the Knesset Committee approved the transfer of the bill despite Afik's formal opposition, with the legal adviser ruling that the Constitution Committee's legal counsel would continue to accompany the discussions. Earlier that day, MK Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah) had demanded a binding commitment from the committee chair before proceeding with the vote.
The Basic Law, which would effectively equate full-time Torah study with military service, has drawn sharp criticism from secular and reservist groups. The bill passed a preliminary Knesset vote on June 9, and subsequent negotiations led by Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs have sought to secure coalition support through wording changes. Afik's latest letter signals that procedural concerns remain unresolved as the bill advances.
2 developments
- StrongKnesset Committee approves transfer of Torah Study Basic Law; legal adviser opposes
- DevelopingKnesset committee advances Basic Law equating Torah study with IDF service
- StrongGafni demands binding commitment from Knesset Committee before Torah Study Basic Law vote
- StrongCoalition deal reportedly advancing: Knesset to hold marathon debates on Torah Study Basic Law next week
Source and signal
- Internal intake