Jul 1, 2026, 22:57

New Laws in Israel

以色列的新法律

Introduction

The Israeli parliament is talking about two new laws. One law is about religious study. The other law is about mosque speakers.

以色列議會正在討論兩項新法。一項關於宗教研究，另一項則關於清真寺擴音設備。

Main Body

Some leaders want a law for Torah study. They want the law to say that studying the Torah is very important. Prime Minister Netanyahu voted for this. He wants the religious parties to help him with other plans.

一些領導人希望針對研讀妥拉立案。他們希望法律明定研讀妥拉至關重要。總理內塔尼亞胡對此投票支持，他希望宗教政黨能協助他推動其他計劃。

Some people do not like this law. They say it is not fair. They say the army needs more soldiers. They think some people use study to avoid the army.

有些人並不贊同這項法律，認為這並不公平。他們表示軍隊需要更多士兵，認為有些人利用研讀來逃避兵役。

Another law is about mosques. Some leaders want to stop the loud call to prayer. They want to stop the noise. Mosques will need permission to use loud speakers.

另一項法律則與清真寺有關。一些領導人希望停止大聲的祈禱召喚以減少噪音。清真寺未來使用擴音設備將需要取得許可。

Conclusion

These laws are not finished. The parliament must vote again. Some people might go to court to stop the laws.

這些法律尚未最終確定，議會必須再次投票。有些人可能會提起訴訟以阻止這些法律通過。

Vocabulary Learning

💡 The 'Want' Pattern

In this text, we see a very useful way to describe goals and desires.

The Rule: Person/Group + want + a thing (or to do something).

1. Wanting a thing

Some leaders want a law...
They want permission...

2. Wanting to do an action

They want the law to say...
They want to stop the noise...

Quick Guide for A2:

I want $\rightarrow$ used for me.
They want $\rightarrow$ used for a group of people.
He wants $\rightarrow$ (Notice the -s) used for one man/woman.

Examples from the story:

Netanyahu wants the religious parties to help him. $\rightarrow$ (One person = wants)
Some leaders want a law. $\rightarrow$ (Many people = want)

Vocabulary Learning

parliament (n.)

A group of people who make the laws for a country.

Example:The parliament is meeting today to talk about new laws.

religious (adj.)

Connected to a belief in a god or a religion.

Example:He goes to a religious school to study.

avoid (v.)

To stay away from something or stop yourself from doing something.

Example:I try to avoid eating too much sugar.

permission (n.)

When someone tells you that you are allowed to do something.

Example:You need permission from your teacher to leave the room.

court (n.)

A place where a judge decides if a law was broken.

Example:The lawyer went to court to help the client.

New Laws in the Knesset Regarding Religious Study and Mosque Speakers

以色列國會關於宗教學習與清真寺擴音設備的新法案

Introduction

The Israeli parliament has moved forward with two different laws: one that aims to give Torah study a constitutional status and another that seeks to limit the use of loudspeakers for the Muslim call to prayer.

以色列國會推進了兩項不同的法案：一項旨在賦予學習妥拉憲法地位，另一項則尋求限制穆斯林呼籲祈禱時使用擴音設備。

Main Body

The 'Basic Law: Torah Study' bill, proposed by the United Torah Judaism party, passed its first reading with 63 votes in favor and 53 against. This law intends to establish Torah study as a core value within the country's legal system. This move follows a period of tension where Haredi party leaders threatened to stop participating in coalition meetings unless their priorities were met. Consequently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined the vote, showing his support for these goals in exchange for Haredi backing on other political issues, such as the powers of the Attorney General.

由聯合妥拉猶太主義黨提出的《基本法：妥拉學習》法案，在首讀中以63票贊成、53票反對通過。此法案旨在將妥拉學習確立為國家法律體系內的核心價值。此舉發生在一段緊張時期之後，當時哈瑞迪黨領袖威脅，除非其優先事項獲得滿足，否則將停止參與執政聯盟會議。因此，總理納坦雅胡參與了投票，表示支持這些目標，以換取哈瑞迪在其他政治議題（如總檢察長的權力）上的支持。

However, this bill has caused significant disagreement within the government. While it passed, some members of the Likud and Religious Zionist parties opposed it. Furthermore, critics and opposition leaders, including Naftali Bennett, assert that the law is simply a way to make avoiding military service legal. This is particularly concerning because the IDF is currently facing a serious shortage of soldiers. Additionally, the Deputy Attorney-General emphasized that the bill's purpose is unclear and could create an unfair balance in society.

然而，此法案在政府內部引起了顯著分歧。儘管法案通過，但利庫德黨和宗教錫安主義黨的部分成員表示反對。此外，包括納夫塔利·貝內特在內的批評者和反對派領袖主張，該法案僅僅是一種將逃避兵役合法化的手段。由於以色列國防軍（IDF）目前正面臨嚴重的士兵短缺，這一點尤為令人擔憂。此外，副總檢察長強調，該法案的目的不明確，可能會導致社會失衡。

At the same time, the Knesset approved the first stage of a bill from the Otzma Yehudit party to ban the use of loudspeakers for the adhan (the call to prayer). This measure, which is also supported by the Yisrael Beiteinu party, aims to strictly control noise from mosques. Under these new rules, mosques would need official permission to install or use sound systems, which would effectively limit the call to prayer to the inside of the building.

與此同時，國會通過了強猶太黨提出法案的第一階段，禁止在呼籲祈禱（adhan）時使用擴音設備。此項措施亦獲得以色列我家黨的支持，旨在嚴格控制清真寺的噪音。根據新規定，清真寺安裝或使用音響系統需獲得官方許可，這將有效地將祈禱聲限制在建築物內部。

Conclusion

Both the law on Torah study and the restrictions on mosque audio must go through more readings before they become official. Meanwhile, the Torah study law may face legal challenges in court.

關於妥拉學習與清真寺音響限制的法案，在正式生效前仍需經過更多次審議。同時，妥拉學習法案可能會在法院面臨法律挑戰。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Connecting' Secret: Moving Beyond 'And' & 'But'

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using simple sentences. The article uses Logical Connectors to glue complex ideas together. Instead of saying "This happened. Then that happened," B2 speakers use words that show the relationship between ideas.

🛠 The Upgrade Path

Instead of (A2)...	Use this (B2)...	Why?
But	However	It signals a strong contrast at the start of a new sentence.
And	Furthermore	It adds a new, more important point to your argument.
So	Consequently	It shows a direct cause-and-effect result.
Also	Additionally	It makes your writing sound formal and academic.

🔍 Analysis in Action

Look at how the text builds a bridge between different political views:

"...passed its first reading... Consequently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined the vote..."

If the author used "So," it would sound like a casual conversation. By using Consequently, the text tells us that the Prime Minister's action was a strategic result of the Haredi party's threats. It transforms a simple fact into a political analysis.

💡 Pro-Tip for Fluency

Next time you want to say "But," pause. Try starting your sentence with "However," followed by a comma. This small shift in structure is one of the fastest ways to make your English sound more professional and 'upper-intermediate'.

Vocabulary Learning

constitutional (adj.)

Relating to the set of basic laws and principles that establish how a country is governed.

Example:The court had to decide if the new law was constitutional or if it violated the nation's basic rights.

coalition (n.)

A temporary alliance of different political parties to form a government.

Example:The two parties formed a coalition to ensure they had enough votes to pass the budget.

consequently (adv.)

As a result of something that has happened.

Example:He failed to study for the exam; consequently, he received a low grade.

assert (v.)

To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

Example:The lawyer continued to assert that his client was innocent despite the evidence.

emphasized (v.)

To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.

Example:The teacher emphasized that the deadline for the project was Friday.

effectively (adv.)

In a way that produces the desired result, or used to describe a practical result even if not officially stated.

Example:The new regulations effectively banned smoking in all public parks.

Legislative Developments Regarding Religious Study Status and Mosque Audio Regulations in the Knesset

國會關於宗教學習地位與清真寺音響法規的立法發展

Introduction

The Israeli parliament has advanced two distinct pieces of legislation: one seeking to grant constitutional status to Torah study and another aimed at restricting the use of loudspeakers for the Muslim call to prayer.

以色列國會推進了兩項不同的立法：一項旨在賦予妥拉學習憲法地位，另一項則旨在限制使用擴音器播放穆斯林的祈禱召集。

Main Body

The 'Basic Law: Torah Study' bill, sponsored by the United Torah Judaism party, passed its first reading with a 63-53 margin. This legislation seeks to codify Torah study as a fundamental value within the state's legal framework. The initiative follows a period of strategic tension, wherein Haredi party leaders threatened to boycott coalition proceedings to expedite their legislative priorities. In a perceived rapprochement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in the vote, signaling a commitment to these priorities in exchange for Haredi support regarding the division of the Attorney General's powers and the establishment of an inquiry committee into the events of October 7, 2023.

由聯合妥拉猶太主義黨發起的《基本法：妥拉學習》法案，在首讀階段以 63 比 53 通過。此項立法旨在將妥拉學習編制為國家法律框架內的基本價值。此舉發生在一段戰略緊張期之後，當時哈雷迪政黨領袖威脅將抵制聯合政府程序，以加速其立法優先事項。在一次被視為和解的行動中，總理班傑明·納坦雅胡參與了投票，表明承諾支持這些優先事項，以換取哈雷迪對分權總檢察長權力以及成立 2023 年 10 月 7 日事件調查委員會的支持。

Stakeholder positioning reveals significant internal coalition friction. Despite the bill's passage, members of the Likud and Religious Zionist parties expressed opposition. External critics, including the Movement for Quality Government and opposition leaders such as Naftali Bennett, contend that the legislation functions as a mechanism to institutionalize draft evasion. This occurs amidst a documented manpower crisis within the IDF, with the Chief of Staff previously indicating a risk of institutional collapse. Furthermore, the Deputy Attorney-General noted a lack of clarity regarding the bill's purpose and a potential imbalance in the societal positioning of the Haredi community.

利益相關者的定位顯示出聯合政府內部存在顯著摩擦。儘管法案通過，但利庫德黨與宗教錫安主義黨的成員表達了反對。包括「優質政府運動」以及如納夫塔利·貝內特等反對派領袖在內的外部批評者認為，該立法是將逃兵制度化的一種機制。此情況發生在以色列國防軍（IDF）紀錄人力危機之際，總參謀長此前曾指出存在制度崩潰的風險。此外，副總檢察長指出，該法案的目的缺乏清晰度，可能會導致哈雷迪社群在社會定位上出現失衡。

Parallel to these developments, the Knesset approved a preliminary reading of a bill introduced by the Otzma Yehudit party to prohibit the broadcasting of the adhan via loudspeakers. This measure, supported by the Yisrael Beiteinu party, seeks to tighten enforcement against mosque-related noise. The proposed regulations would mandate explicit prior authorization for the installation or operation of sound systems in mosques, effectively limiting the call to prayer to internal rituals.

與這些發展平行地，國會通過了一項由強猶太黨提出的法案初步讀取，禁止透過擴音器播放宣禮（adhan）。此舉獲得以色列我們的黨支持，旨在加強對清真寺噪音的執法。擬議的法規將要求在清真寺安裝或操作音響系統必須獲得明確的事前授權，實際上將祈禱召集限制在內部儀式。

Conclusion

Both the Basic Law on Torah Study and the mosque audio restrictions require further readings before enactment, while the former remains subject to potential judicial challenge.

妥拉學習基本法與清真寺音響限制兩項法案在正式生效前均需經過進一步讀取，而前者仍可能面臨司法挑戰。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of Institutional Euphemism

To transition from B2 (competence) to C2 (mastery), a student must move beyond meaning and start analyzing intent. In this text, the gap is bridged by understanding Nominalization as a Tool for Political Neutrality.

◈ The 'Cold' Lexicon

Observe how the author transforms volatile political conflicts into sterile, administrative nouns. This is the hallmark of high-level diplomatic and legal English.

"Strategic tension" $\rightarrow$ Instead of "fighting" or "arguing."
"Perceived rapprochement" $\rightarrow$ Instead of "making up" or "agreeing to stop fighting."
"Institutionalize draft evasion" $\rightarrow$ Instead of "making it legal to avoid the army."

◈ Linguistic Dissection: The Power of 'Mechanism'

"...the legislation functions as a mechanism to institutionalize draft evasion."

At C2, we recognize that words like mechanism, framework, and positioning are not merely descriptors; they are conceptual abstractions. By framing a law as a "mechanism," the writer strips the act of its moral weight and treats it as a mechanical process. This allows the writer to maintain an objective, journalistic distance while delivering a devastating critique.

◈ Syntactic Sophistication: The 'Causal' Shift

Note the use of "Wherein" and "Amidst."

B2 students use where or during. C2 masters use wherein to define a specific condition within a complex scenario:

"...a period of strategic tension, wherein Haredi party leaders threatened..."

This creates a nested logical structure that allows the writer to provide context without breaking the flow of the primary sentence, maintaining a high level of formal cohesion.

Vocabulary Learning

codify (v.)

To arrange laws or rules into a systematic code or a formal written system.

Example:The new legislation aims to codify existing common law principles into a single statutory document.

rapprochement (n.)

An establishment of harmonious relations between two parties after a period of tension or conflict.

Example:The diplomatic summit signaled a surprising rapprochement between the two long-term rivals.

institutionalize (v.)

To establish something as a conventional or formal part of an organization or society.

Example:Critics argue that the new policy will institutionalize systemic biases within the judicial process.

mandate (v.)

To give an official order or commission to do something; to make something mandatory.

Example:The health department may mandate the use of masks in all public indoor spaces during the outbreak.

enactment (n.)

The process of passing a law or the actual act of making a bill into a law.

Example:The enactment of the environmental protection act led to a significant reduction in industrial pollution.

Practice All words in a crossword→