The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday published the final official text of the proposed Security Service (Integration of Yeshiva Students) Law, which would add an entirely new chapter to Israel’s Security Service Law granting immunity from arrest, criminal investigations, and enforcement proceedings to yeshiva students eligible for military service, Kikar H’Shabbat reported.

The bill is a temporary measure that would take effect immediately and remain in force until November 30, 2026. Its stated purpose is to completely suspend the wave of arrests and sanctions against the Chareidi community while formally recognizing the importance of full-time Torah study.

For the first time, the legislation would establish a comprehensive legal framework protecting yeshiva and kollel students whose full-time occupation is Torah study, allowing them to continue their studies without fear of criminal prosecution or military and police enforcement actions following the expiration of previous legal arrangements.

Under the proposed law, a ben yeshiva eligible for immunity must study full-time in a recognized yeshiva or kollel and may not engage in any other occupation. To qualify, yeshiva bochurim must study at least 45 hours per week, while avreichim must study at least 40 hours per week. The defense minister would determine the official vacation periods that would not affect eligibility.

To receive immunity, bnei yeshivos must submit written declarations affirming that they meet the requirements. The Rosh Yeshiva must also submit a declaration confirming the student’s eligibility and must report to the military by the 14th of every calendar month if the talmid leaves the yeshiva. The bill also imposes penalties on yeshivos that submit false information. A Rosh Yeshiva who receives financial penalties or fines for false reporting involving five or more students would lose the authority to certify future declarations on behalf of his students.

The legislation also establishes a dedicated military committee to review applications for the suspension of criminal proceedings. The IDF Chief of Staff would be required to establish the three-member committee within seven days of the law taking effect. It would be chaired by a colonel appointed by the Military Advocate General and include two lieutenant colonels appointed by the head of the IDF Personnel Directorate. The committee would have broad authority to obtain information from relevant government agencies in order to verify applicants’ eligibility.

Once the law takes effect, eligible bnei yeshivos would be able to submit online applications requesting the suspension of criminal proceedings against them. While their applications are under review, they could not be arrested under any circumstances. Even if an indictment has already been filed or a final court ruling has been issued for failure to report for military service, all legal proceedings and enforcement of any sentence would be suspended immediately. Talmidim would have 30 days from the law’s effective date to submit their applications.

Alongside these protections, the bill includes strict oversight measures intended to prevent abuse of the arrangement. The defense minister would publish an official list of recognized yeshivas based on recommendations from the Vaad HaYeshivos in Eretz Yisrael. The list would be made publicly available on the IDF Personnel Directorate’s website and at military recruitment offices.

Special inspectors would be appointed to monitor compliance, with the defense minister authorized to use the Education Ministry’s existing inspection system. Inspectors would be required to conduct surprise inspections at every recognized yeshiva once every three months.

One of the bill’s strongest enforcement provisions states that if inspectors find that 20 percent or more of a yeshiva’s registered students are repeatedly absent, the institution will first receive a warning. If the excessive absenteeism continues, the yeshiva will be removed from the list of recognized institutions. Its students would lose their legal immunity unless they promptly enroll in another recognized yeshiva that complies with the law’s requirements.

The Defense Ministry would also be required to report to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee every three months on the number of inspectors employed, the inspections conducted, and their findings.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)