Days before Israel heads into an election season, the coalition enshrined Torah study in a semi-constitutional Basic Law and froze enforcement against tens of thousands of draft evaders. Legal experts warn the move could pave the way for permanent exemptions

The haredi-backed Basic Law passed its final Knesset votes after weeks of coalition tensions and warnings that it could encourage draft evasion.

The softened measure passed 63-52 and could strengthen Haredi arguments for a future draft exemption; IDF chief warns parallel legislation would reward evasion and damage trust…