Legislative storm in the Knesset: Basic Law: Torah Study and the Muezzin Law approved in preliminary readings

[108338] Legislative storm in the Knesset: Basic Law: Torah Study and the Muezzin Law approved in preliminary readings

A busy day in the plenum: religious legislation and storms in the committees

The Knesset recorded a series of approvals for controversial bills yesterday (July 1, 2026). The Basic Law: Torah Study was approved in a first reading by a majority of 63 to 53. As reported by Hadashot MeHashtach on Telegram, the move was accompanied by internal opposition within the coalition, as Members of Knesset Eli Dallal, Tally Gotliv, and Simcha Rothman (sometimes referred to as supporters of the conservative line) encountered opposition from Members of Knesset Solomon, Haskel, and Edelstein, who voted against the law.

At the same time, the Muezzin Law, which is intended to limit the use of loudspeaker systems in houses of worship, was approved in a preliminary reading by a majority of 50 to 36. The reports came from various sources, including Israel News IL, News of the Day, and ynet news, while Ben Caspit – a journalist identified with a critical stance toward the current government – highlighted the voting results as a measure of the coalition's power in passing laws that are publicly controversial.

Simultaneously with the activity in the plenum, a storm broke out in the Constitution Committee. Cheder War reported on a "hijack" by the committee chairman, Simcha Rothman, who brought the Elections Law to a first reading while the plenum was in session. Member of Knesset Gilad Kariv of the opposition harshly attacked the move: "Shame on the Constitution Committee. You and your coalition members spat in the faces of Holocaust survivors, of nursing home residents," this against the backdrop of claims that the promoted version does not include the placement of polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.