The Knesset House Committee is scheduled to hold three marathon sessions next week to advance the coalition’s controversial proposed Basic Law to declare Torah study a foundational value of the State of Israel.

The bill is being promoted by the ultra-Orthodox parties to shield draft evaders from sanctions and prosecution. Absent a constitution, Basic Laws in Israel have the highest legal status in the country.

The revised bill drops language from an earlier draft that equated full-time Torah study with military service by describing it as a “significant service” to the state, after widespread criticism, including by some coalition lawmakers, that it effectively placed draft evaders on the same footing as soldiers and reservists.

However, the bill’s underlying purpose remains unchanged. The revised draft states that recognizing Torah study as a foundational value is intended to create “a just balance with respect to other foundational values.” Its explanatory notes, also unchanged, make clear that the legislation’s goal is to address the legal obstacles created by High Court rulings striking down draft exemptions for yeshiva students.

In a letter sent to House Committee members on Thursday, Knesset legal adviser Sagit Afik urged lawmakers to adhere to an “especially high” standard of legislative procedure as they “accelerate” the bill through multiple marathon sessions next week.

She also reiterated her opposition to transferring the bill from the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to the House Committee, a step taken last week, arguing that bypassing the committee responsible for constitutional legislation creates “defects........

© The Times of Israel