Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich denounced his own ministry's legal adviser for ruling that the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study could cost vast sums, calling it "sheer ignorance" and insisting the law "won't cost a shekel." The internal clash within Smotrich's ministry follows a series of Finance Ministry warnings about the fiscal impact of the bill, which would enshrine military-service exemptions for yeshiva students.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich clashed Sunday with the legal adviser of his own ministry after the adviser ruled that the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study could carry enormous fiscal costs. "This is sheer ignorance," Smotrich said, according to N12's Amit Segal. "The law won't cost a shekel." The internal dispute within the Finance Ministry comes against a backdrop of repeated Treasury warnings about the bill, which would enshrine military-service exemptions for yeshiva students. As The Zioneer has reported, the Finance Ministry earlier warned that the legislation would necessitate a 16% across-the-board tax increase. Smotrich has been at odds with his own ministry's professional assessments on the issue, while also facing criticism from coalition's ultra-Orthodox partners over his previous opposition to the bill. The Basic Law: Torah Study has drawn opposition from legal advisers in the Knesset and the Justice Ministry, who have questioned its legal weight and practical implications. The bill remains a flashpoint within the coalition between the Religious Zionist party's hawkish fiscal stance and the demands of ultra-Orthodox partners.
- StrongSmotrich opposes ultra-Orthodox Torah-study Basic Law bill
- DevelopingSmotrich revealed as original sponsor of Basic Law: Torah Study
- StrongPublic anger grows as Finance Ministry warns Torah-study law would force 16% tax hike
- DevelopingDeputy AG voices government legal stance against Torah Study Basic Law bill
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