Torah Study Basic Law will not pass in its current format

The Basic Law: Torah Study will not pass in its current format, according to a report. The legislation has faced repeated setbacks in recent weeks.

The Zioneer reports that the Basic Law: Torah Study will not pass in its current format, according to a source familiar with the legislative process. The report comes after the coalition had already signaled last week that it would not advance the law without a clause recognizing IDF soldiers, and after a series of procedural and political setbacks.

The legislation has repeatedly stalled. On June 30, the bill failed in a Knesset plenum vote after Shas and United Torah Judaism absented themselves (The Zioneer, 18:35 Jerusalem). The following day, Arab MKs were reported to be considering a boycott of the vote (July 1, 13:03). On July 5, The Zioneer reported that the coalition was considering adding a clause explicitly recognizing IDF service, and later that evening that the coalition had informed MK Moshe Gafni that the law would not advance without such a clause (22:22 Jerusalem). On July 7, the Deputy Attorney General ruled that the procedure for transferring the bill between committees was invalid (18:04 Jerusalem), and Haredi parties rejected a declarative-only version of the law, insisting on a practical bill that guarantees funding (20:44 Jerusalem).

The bill, which aims to equate full-time Torah study with military service, has been a cornerstone of the coalition's agenda. As The Zioneer reported on June 30, the bill faced opposition from Yisrael Beitenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, and internal coalition divisions have deepened. The Haredi parties' insistence on a practical law, as reported on July 7, has further complicated the path forward.

It remains unclear what alternative format the coalition may pursue, or whether the Haredi parties will accept a revised version that includes a soldier clause. The source did not provide a timeline for the bill's next steps.

4 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 20:13 · 8 JulLatest

   Report indicates the legislation will not pass in its current format.

2. 13:31 · 8 Jul

   Coalition informs Gafni that the law will not advance without soldier clause.

3. 18:01 · 7 Jul

   Coalition considers adding clause explicitly recognizing IDF service value.

• Developing13:03 · 1 JulArab MKs may boycott Torah Study Basic Law vote today
• Developingyesterday · 20:44 · 7 JulHaredi parties reject declarative-only version of Torah Study Basic Law
• Developing18:35 · 30 JunTorah Study Basic Law fails in Knesset vote as Shas and UTJ absent themselves
• Developingyesterday · 18:04 · 7 JulDeputy Attorney General rules transfer of Torah Study Basic Law invalid

Source and signal

• Internal intake