Religious Zionism's War on HarediFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made it clear today (Tuesday) that his party will not allow the Haredi MKs' Basic Law: Torah Study to be advanced in a version that seeks to grant Torah students equal status to those serving in the IDF.
The law, submitted by United Torah Judaism and Shas, is expected to come up for a vote in a preliminary reading.
According to the proposal, those who dedicate themselves to Torah study over time will be recognized as performing a significant service to the State of Israel and the Jewish people, including in all matters concerning rights and obligations.
The Religious Zionist faction stated: "We will not allow a law to be promoted that would equate the status and conditions of those who abstain from military service to the status and conditions of those serving in the IDF.".
""The faction will only support a law that establishes Torah study as a fundamental value without comparing yeshiva students to those serving in the IDF.".
Later, due to the opposition of "religious Zionism" and ministers Shikli and Elkin, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fox announced that the clause comparing Torah students to servants would be removed from the law.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation agreed to promote a revised version that would reflect the importance of Torah students, without comparing them to IDF servicemen.
The law was also approved this afternoon by the ministerial committee, subject to changes in the wording of the law - so that there will be no comparison between Torah students and IDF fighters.
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