Torah Study Basic Law Passes First Reading 63-53

The Knesset voted 63-53 late Wednesday to advance Basic Law: Torah Study through its first reading, after a long and heated plenum debate. Four coalition MKs voted against the measure: Likud's Dan Illouz and Yuli Edelstein, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel and Religious Zionism's Moshe Solomon. The bill declares Torah study a foundational value of the State of Israel and now returns to the House Committee before two final readings, amid the wider Haredi service and sanctions dispute. Israel should honor Torah learning while also writing a service framework that protects IDF manpower, equality before the law and respect for all communities.