The Knesset approved the Basic Law on Torah Study in its final reading Monday night, according to Israeli media reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent from the vote.
The Knesset approved the Basic Law on Torah Study in a final vote Monday night, with 63 MKs in favor and 52 against, as previously reported. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been expected to skip the vote, was absent from the plenum, confirming earlier reports. The bill's passage completes a legislative process that saw earlier versions fail and internal coalition dissent.
The first report at 21:16 Jerusalem, citing Kol Hai radio, indicated that the Prime Minister would not attend the vote. As voting began, the coalition defeated all reservations with a narrow majority of exactly 61 votes, according to the Knesset plenum, and the PM's absence was confirmed. The final tally of 63–52 was then reported by multiple Israeli media outlets, and i24NEWS added that Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz broke ranks to vote against the bill.
The bill's passage follows a lengthy legislative saga. As The Zioneer reported on June 30, 2026, an earlier version of the Basic Law failed in a plenum vote after Shas and United Torah Judaism absented themselves. A subsequent softened version advanced through committee on July 9, and a vote on July 1 saw PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz vote in favor amid chaos in the Knesset. Tonight's final vote, however, saw the PM absent, a departure from his previous stance.
The law now becomes part of Israel's constitutional framework. It remains to be seen how the legislation will be implemented, particularly regarding the exemption from military service for yeshiva students, which has been a flashpoint in Israeli politics.
5 developments
- DevelopingAryeh Deri hails first-reading passage of Basic Law: Torah Study as 'historic correction'
- StrongShas leader Deri demands Torah Study Basic Law vote as condition for coalition support
- DevelopingKnesset Committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study for final readings; plenum vote next week
- DevelopingMK Moshe Gafni on the Basic Law: Torah Study: 'The State of the Jewish people returns Torah honor to its rightful place'
Source and signal
- Internal intake