Knesset legal adviser Afik warns Basic Law: Torah Study advancing through flawed process

Knesset legal adviser Sagit Afik issued a formal warning that the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study is being advanced through procedurally improper channels, telling lawmakers the bill belongs in the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee rather than the House Committee. 'Pressure and workload do not override, in my view, a proper legislative process,' Afik wrote, cautioning that 'this transfer raises a serious difficulty that may undermine the integrity of the legislative process.' MKs nonetheless voted 48 to 35 to keep the legislation under the House Committee chaired by coalition whip Ofir Katz, sidestepping the Constitution Committee led by Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman. Afik's intervention adds a significant procedural cloud over a Basic Law that haredi coalition partners are working to pass quickly, with reports indicating Speaker Amir Ohana has been pressed to push Afik to reverse her position.