MK Simcha Rothman Outlines Judicial Reform and Economic Agenda Ahead of 2026 Elections
MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party outlines his legislative agenda for the 2026 elections, focusing on judicial reform, Haredi enlistment, and free-market economic policies.
Judicial Reform and the Path to Security
Ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset scheduled for October 27, 2026, MK Simcha Rothman, the current chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee representing the "Religious Zionism" party, outlined his legislative vision. Rothman addressed key issues concerning young voters, placing judicial reform at the center of his agenda for national security and personal safety.
Rothman argued that the judicial system remains the primary obstacle to establishing public order. He stated that even with highly capable police and prosecutors, the system fails when judges release offenders with lenient sentences and criminal trials drag on for a decade.
According to Rothman, the judicial selection reform has already been initiated and will take effect, but further legislation is required. His upcoming priorities include implementing randomized judicial panels to prevent the deliberate assignment of judges to specific cases, splitting the role of the Attorney General, and reforming the Department of Internal Police Investigations (Machash).
Haredi Enlistment and Sharing the Burden
Addressing the issue of Haredi enlistment, Rothman advocated for a gradual integration of the ultra-Orthodox community into the military, economy, and academia. He emphasized that legislation should not attempt to forcefully reshape society but should instead provide the necessary tools and frameworks.
Rothman pointed to existing initiatives, such as the Haredi Hesder yeshivas and the Hashmonaim brigade, as models that need further encouragement. While acknowledging that Haredi leadership shares responsibility for the current stagnation, he noted that achieving absolute mathematical equality in enlistment is an unrealistic promise.
Economic Deregulation and Education Reform
To combat the high cost of living, Rothman proposed a free-market approach based on deregulation and the removal of bureaucratic barriers. He announced plans to introduce legislation to abolish various agricultural marketing boards, referring to the current system as a bureaucratic relic.
In education, Rothman proposed the implementation of a school voucher system. Under this model, public funding would follow the student, allowing parents to choose educational institutions freely. Schools that attract more students would receive larger budgets, fostering competition and efficiency among administrators and teachers.
