MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Constitution Committee, on Sunday dismissed the Finance Ministry's warning that the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study would force a 16% tax increase, saying that when Treasury opinions become a political game, 'you can say goodbye.' The warning was issued earlier Sunday, drawing public anger.
The statement by Rothman (Religious Zionism) comes hours after the Finance Ministry warned that the proposed Basic Law entitling full-time yeshiva students to an allowance and exempting them from military service would force a 16% across-the-board tax increase, severely damaging economic growth. The ministry's warning, published Sunday afternoon, drew sharp criticism from coalition members. Rothman, who chairs the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, argued that the Treasury's assessment was politically motivated. "The moment Treasury opinions become a political game, you can say goodbye. There is no such thing," he said on the program 'The Central Arena.' The Basic Law: Torah Study has been a flashpoint in coalition politics, with critics arguing it would undermine the IDF's manpower needs and equality of burden, while proponents say it protects the tradition of Torah study. The bill is expected to face further debate in the Knesset.
3 developments
- StrongSmotrich opposes ultra-Orthodox Torah-study Basic Law bill
- DevelopingChanges to Torah Study Basic Law being negotiated after preliminary vote
- DevelopingHaredi official accuses Smotrich of using Finance Ministry opinions to block Torah study law
- DevelopingMK Moshe Tur-Paz says Torah study bill is 'a desecration of Torah', will study without exemption
Source and signal
- Internal intake