Knesset enshrines Torah study in Basic Law despite opposition objections
Israel’s parliament has granted Torah study the status of a fundamental national value despite warnings that the move could undermine military readiness.
The Knesset has approved legislation recognizing Torah study as a fundamental value of the State of Israel. The measure passed with 63 votes and enshrines the status of religious learning in one of the country’s Basic Laws, despite opposition protests and concerns raised by military officials, The Jerusalem Post reports.
The new provision states that “Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel.” The legislation passed its final readings amid deep divisions within the governing coalition and sustained pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid and leaders of other factions urged lawmakers to reject the measure, arguing that it would deal a serious blow to the military during wartime.
“The shameful role of those who support the draft-evasion law will remain forever before the eyes of the citizens of Israel who serve in the military and participate in the workforce,” opponents of the bill said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir had earlier warned Defense Ministry officials that the military could face a crisis due to a severe manpower shortage. The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) also argued that granting Torah study constitutional status could provide a legal foundation for future efforts to exempt religious students from military service while continuing state funding for their studies.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the cabinet as “the most anti-Zionist government in history,” accusing it of deliberately harming the armed forces.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the parliamentary session and was absent from the final vote.
As the UOJ previously reported, a group of foreign Christians publicly repented in the Knesset for what they described as insufficient support for Israel.
