Less than 24 hours after declaring they would not accept any changes to the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study, the chareidi parties in the Knesset have agreed to a compromise with the Likud that would significantly narrow the legislation by removing one of its central provisions.

Under the emerging agreement, the bill will no longer include a clause stating that recognition of Torah study as a foundational value is intended to create “balances of justice” in relation to other fundamental values of the State of Israel. Instead, the legislation will retain only its opening provision, which establishes Torah study as a foundational value of the Jewish people’s heritage and the State of Israel.

The compromise represents a notable shift from the position taken just a day earlier by Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni. Following a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gafni had insisted that “what was agreed upon in the meeting is what will pass in the second and third readings. I will not agree to any change in the wording.”

Gafni also rejected a Likud proposal to reduce the legislation to a largely declarative measure, insisting that the bill be passed “exactly as written.”

At the time, officials from the chareidi parties stressed that the purpose of the legislation was to grant Torah study tangible legal and budgetary significance, rather than merely symbolic recognition.

However, mounting pressure from within the Likud, coupled with opposition voiced during Knesset committee discussions, ultimately led the chareidi parties to soften their position.

Knesset Legal Adviser Attorney Sagit Afik warned that the original wording could eventually serve as a legal basis for demands that full-time Torah scholars receive benefits currently reserved for military personnel and combat soldiers, including scholarships and additional financial assistance.

Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz made clear that the bill would not have enough support to pass unless it was amended. He also warned that Likud lawmakers were prepared to submit reservations against the legislation if no changes were made.

Faced with the possibility that the entire bill could fail, the chareidi parties agreed to remove the controversial “balances of justice” provision.

At the same time, coalition lawmakers are working on separate legislation addressing disabled veterans, aimed at recognizing the value of military service and the sacrifices made by combat soldiers. The move is intended to separate that issue from the Torah Study Basic Law and clear the way for the revised version of the bill.

The final draft has not yet received the approval of the leading gedolei Torah. Nevertheless, the agreement to delete the disputed clause underscores that despite the firm public statements and ultimatum issued to Netanyahu only a day earlier, the chareidi parties ultimately agreed to the Likud’s primary demand and accepted a substantially more limited version of the legislation.

{Matzav.com}