In an interview with Israel Hayom, MK Yaakov Margi (Shas) said the Basic Law: Torah Study was unnecessary, and that the coalition should have pursued the conscription law instead. He added that the army should have done its job and enlisted those who do not study Torah.
MK Yaakov Margi (Shas) told Israel Hayom in an interview published Friday morning that the Basic Law: Torah Study was unnecessary and that the coalition should have advanced the conscription law instead. "From my perspective, we don't need the Basic Law: Torah Study. And we also didn't need the arrest law. We should have gone with the conscription law, and whoever doesn't study should go to the army. The army should have done its job and enlisted those who don't study," Margi was quoted as saying.
Margi's remarks echo his previous statements. In a July 14 radio interview with Kan Reshet Bet, Margi said he would scrap the Torah study bill and conscript everyone who does not study, telling those refusing service: "If you don't want to enlist — die." The Basic Law: Torah Study was passed by the Knesset in its final readings on July 13-14, enshrining Torah study as a foundational value of the state, after the removal of a clause equating it with military service.
The Shas MK's latest comments highlight internal divisions within the Haredi political leadership over the handling of the conscription crisis. The coalition has faced pressure to address the growing number of Haredi draft dodgers while maintaining the support of Haredi parties.
- StrongShas MK Margi says 'if it were up to me, there would be no Torah study law'
- DevelopingMK Moshe Tur-Paz says Torah study bill is 'a desecration of Torah', will study without exemption
- DevelopingMK Moshe Solomon (Religious Zionism) explains his no vote on Torah Study Basic Law
- StrongKnesset passes Basic Law: Torah Study after Likud demands removal of 'significant service' clause
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