Israel Enshrines ‘torah Study’ In Basic Law While Extending IDF Conscription To 32 Months

The Knesset has passed a new Basic Law, a quasi-constitutional measure, that declares Torah study a "foundational value" of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. This marks the first time Torah study has been given such supreme legal status. Supporters, like Degel HaTorah Chairman Moshe Gafni, hailed it as a historic recognition of the Jewish people's spiritual foundation. However, critics view it as a legal strategy by the ultra-Orthodox parties to shield Haredi men from future High Court rulings mandating military conscription. Prime Minister Netanyahu was absent from the vote, and some Likud members voted against it. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law, accusing the government of betraying soldiers. Concurrently, the Knesset extended mandatory military service for regular soldiers to 32 months, a measure the military still deems insufficient for its manpower needs.