Knesset Passes Basic Law Recognizing Torah Study as a State Value

The Knesset passed Basic Law: Torah Study in its second and third readings Monday night, 63-52, placing the measure in Israel’s statute book. The final one-sentence text says Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, after lawmakers removed a broader clause that would have balanced it against other constitutional values. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent, while Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz voted against. Bill sponsor Moshe Gafni called the vote historic; the opposition said a future government would seek repeal.