According to journalist Daphna Liel (N12), the coalition is transferring the Basic Law: Torah Study to the Knesset Committee after MK Simcha Rothman (head of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee) refused to discuss it. Liel reports that the Knesset Committee has no professional connection to the issue and that this procedural move is creating a legal flaw in the bill before it even advances.
Journalist Daphna Liel reported Monday that the coalition is moving the Basic Law: Torah Study to the Knesset Committee after MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism), chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, refused to hold a hearing on the bill. Liel noted that the Knesset Committee has no professional mandate for this legislation, creating a legal flaw before the bill formally begins its legislative process.
The development follows Sunday evening reports by Shachar Glik that the coalition intended to move the bill to the Knesset Committee at the request of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and that Religious Zionism was trying to avoid direct involvement. Glik reported at 22:41 Jerusalem that the Knesset's legal adviser had already objected to the committee switch and was expected to object again, but the coalition planned to proceed regardless. Liel's Monday report adds that Rothman's refusal to hold a hearing triggered the transfer, confirming the bypass was already underway.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, the bill was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on June 9 and passed a preliminary Knesset vote on June 10, both amid sharp opposition from opposition leaders and from Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz, who voted against it. The legislation, which would codify equal legal rights for Torah learners and IDF service members, has drawn international criticism as well, with nations once considered allies sanctioning Israeli ministers over the initiative.
It remains unclear whether the Knesset Committee will schedule a hearing and whether the bill will face a legal challenge from the Knesset's legal adviser, who has already objected to the committee switch.
4 developments
- DevelopingKnesset committee advances Basic Law equating Torah study with IDF service
- StrongOpposition leaders blast Basic Law on Torah study after preliminary Knesset vote
- DevelopingShas and Degel HaTorah Torah Study Basic Law bills diverge in Knesset vote schedule
- DevelopingChanges to Torah Study Basic Law being negotiated after preliminary vote
Source and signal
- Internal intake