Knesset House Committee Advances Basic Law on Torah Study

The Knesset House Committee voted 6-4 on Thursday to advance a revised Basic Law: Torah Study bill. The legislation, sponsored by United Torah Judaism and backed by Shas, establishes Torah study as a "fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel."

To secure the vote and avoid a boycott by Haredi parties, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition removed several controversial provisions. These stripped clauses would have granted Torah learners practical benefits similar to those of Israel Defense Forces soldiers, such as academic scholarships and land discounts. Committee chairman Ofir Katz announced the removal of a specific clause that sought to equate Torah study with military service to prevent yeshiva students from claiming soldiers' financial benefits.

While Shas and Degel HaTorah agreed to the stripped-down, declarative version of the law, Agudas Yisrael leader Yitzchak Goldknopf opposed the removal of the equality clause. Despite the compromise, Haredi parties stated they will advance separate legislation in coming months to grant immunity from arrest to draft evaders.

The bill faced sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers, the Deputy Attorney General, and IDF veterans. Critics argue the law legitimizes draft evasion during a severe military manpower shortage. During the committee meeting, combat veterans interrupted proceedings to demand priority support for soldiers with PTSD over the legislation. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that the military could collapse without a solution to the manpower crisis.