From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Knesset debate on Torah study Basic Law bill erupts into shouting match between IDF vets and MKs
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
A Knesset House Committee discussion to advance the controversial proposed Basic Law for Torah study is interrupted by combat veterans suffering from PTSD, who protest the legislation and demand that the status of combat soldiers and the needs of those dealing with trauma be prioritized.
Several veterans climb over the tables to directly appeal to Likud MK Ofir Katz, the committee chair, and United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf, one of the bill’s sponsors and a member of the committee, urging them to halt the bill, which would have the effect of shielding draft evaders from sanctions and prosecution, until their demands are met.
“You’ve all exploited us for political gain,” they say. “This is a national emergency. We are not protected by law.”
Goldknopf says to the protesters: “I hear you, and my heart aches. Bring me a bill and I will lead it. I will fight for it with my last drop of blood. We need to give up many things for your sake.”
Yesh Atid MK Meirav Ben-Ari responds to Goldknopf, “But the Knesset is ending. You should have brought it forward two years ago.”
כאוס בדיון על חוק יסוד לימוד התורה. – הלומי קרב דורשים לא לחוקק את החוק עד שדואגים להם pic.twitter.com/qECNwLm3i6
— דפנה ליאל (@DaphnaLiel) July 9, 2026
Einav Danino, the mother of slain hostage Ori Danino, voices support during the committee for the veterans and calls on lawmakers to prioritize them.
“My Ori was murdered after eleven months in captivity, and I live with that pain thanks to those who brought him back to me, and they carry that burden with them. I would never have gotten Ori back without them,” she says, adding, “I saw Ori before I buried him – a beautiful young man with 11 gunshot wounds. But what did those who rescued him see? That their bodies survived, but their souls died.”
The proposed Basic Law passed its first reading last week and is now being prepared for its final two readings, which are expected to take place next week before the Knesset is set to dissolve on July 17.
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