Israeli Ministerial Committee Approves Torah Study Bill as Coalition Tensions Rise Over Military Exemptions
Israel's Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill to enshrine Torah Study into basic law, advanced by haredi parties as a condition for coalition support. The legislation has sparked sharp criticism from both coalition members and opposition leaders, who warn it could worsen draft evasion amid the IDF's reported manpower shortage. The bill's approval is part of a broader political deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and haredi parties regarding election timing and legislative priorities.
Israel's Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved on Tuesday a bill to enshrine Torah Study into the country's Basic Law, legislation championed by haredi parties as a condition for their continued coalition support. The bill previously contained language calling for equality of rights between IDF soldiers and haredim who evade military service, but this wording was removed following opposition from the far-right Religious Zionist Party. Despite the revision, the legislation has drawn sharp condemnation from both coalition lawmakers and opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who called it "an exemption law on steroids" and "a desecration of the Torah." The IDF has repeatedly warned of an urgent manpower shortage, with Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir stating in March that the military could collapse without a solution. The bill's advancement is reportedly part of a broader political agreement between Netanyahu and haredi parties to delay elections from September to October 20, in exchange for advancing legislation on Torah Study, daycare subsidies, and kashrut law.
What different sources said
- The Jerusalem PostRight
Ministerial committee approves Torah Study bill amid coalition tensions
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