For the first time in its history, Israel has a legal arrangement regulating the army status of yeshiva students. The Knesset plenum passed early this evening the final readings of the Tal Committee Bill, which legalizes the system of yeshiva students\' deferment of military service. The bill was passed by a 51-41 vote, with 5 abstentions. Until now, students have been exempt from army service on a yearly basis according to special Defense Ministry orders. The Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that the Knesset must formulate legislation on the matter.
The new law allows full-time yeshiva students to study Torah until the age of 22, at which time they will have the opportunity to spend a year working or undergoing vocational training. After that year, they will have three choices: 12-18 months of national service and then the freedom to enter the workforce; army service for a period of time in accordance with their family status (four months for married men with two or more children, up to 2.5 years for those who are not married); or to return to yeshiva. The law will be in effect for five years, beginning next February.
The new law allows full-time yeshiva students to study Torah until the age of 22, at which time they will have the opportunity to spend a year working or undergoing vocational training. After that year, they will have three choices: 12-18 months of national service and then the freedom to enter the workforce; army service for a period of time in accordance with their family status (four months for married men with two or more children, up to 2.5 years for those who are not married); or to return to yeshiva. The law will be in effect for five years, beginning next February.