Israel Parliament Approves Controversial Bill: Haredi Students to be Exempt from Military Service

The Israeli Parliament Committee has approved a controversial bill that aims to exempt Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish students from mandatory military service by declaring Torah education as the 'supreme national value'. The Committee on Legislation, after heated debates, voted 10-4 in favor of the 'Torah Education Basic Law' bill, which recognizes Torah education as one of the fundamental rights of Israeli citizens. The bill is expected to be presented to the Knesset for its first reading on Wednesday. The coalition government aims to pass this bill into law before the Knesset's summer recess, which begins on July 16. The bill, proposed by the Ultra-Orthodox parties, aims to protect Haredi students who refuse to serve in the military from prosecution and penalties.