A source clarified to N12 journalist Eli Hirsman that coalition negotiators have not abandoned the Basic Law: Torah Study, as was agreed with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The statement comes amid ongoing coalition talks over the legislation, which would enshrine yeshiva study exemptions from military service.
A source familiar with the coalition negotiations clarified to N12 journalist Eli Hirsman that negotiators have not dropped the Basic Law: Torah Study, as was agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement addresses speculation that the bill might be shelved.
The clarification follows a warning from Hirsman earlier today (The Zioneer, 11:49) that failure of the Basic Law would also cause the collapse of the Haredi arrest-freeze bill, which is linked in its purpose clause to Torah study. Earlier on Wednesday, MK Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah) told Netanyahu he opposes any changes to the Basic Law (The Zioneer, 10:57). On Tuesday, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the bill, though Haredi sources said it remains merely declarative without an equal-status clause for IDF service (The Zioneer, June 9).
The Basic Law: Torah Study has been a contentious issue, with opponents arguing it undermines national security. The coalition has been working to secure its passage amid opposition from some Likud members and the defense establishment. The arrest-freeze bill, which would halt arrests of draft-evading yeshiva students, is tied to the Basic Law's fate.
2 developments
- ConfirmedNetanyahu, Defense Minister Katz voted for Torah Study Basic Law as Knesset session erupts
- DevelopingHaredi source: draft-evader arrest-freeze bill stands alone, not tied to Torah Study Basic Law
- DevelopingChanges to Torah Study Basic Law being negotiated after preliminary vote
- StrongSmotrich opposes ultra-Orthodox Torah-study Basic Law bill
Source and signal
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