A National Insurance Institute representative told a Knesset committee Tuesday that the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study would cancel the planned revocation of the National Insurance discount for yeshiva students and add Torah learners to the income-support eligibility category, according to journalist Eli Hirschman.
The testimony Tuesday from the National Insurance Institute representative provides the first detailed legislative analysis of the Basic Law: Torah Study's financial implications. According to journalist Eli Hirschman, the representative stated that the law would cancel the planned revocation of the National Insurance discount for those who declare Torah study, reversing a Treasury policy advance reported earlier this month. The law would also reportedly add Torah learners to the income-support eligibility category, a benefit not available to students in other fields. This update follows a series of bulletins by The Zioneer on the law's progress: the bill was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation in June, set for a first Knesset reading, and has drawn criticism from the Treasury and coalition allies. The representative's comments underline the concrete fiscal stakes of what critics have called a declarative measure.
4 developments
- DevelopingNational Insurance rep warns Basic Law: Torah Study may impact social benefits
- DevelopingLegal adviser backs away from statement that Torah Study Basic Law mandates equal benefits for yeshiva students and IDF soldiers
- DevelopingReligious Zionist party expected to back Basic Law: Torah Study in Knesset vote tomorrow
- DevelopingKnesset Committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study for final readings; plenum vote next week
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