Deri Says Arab MKs Understand the Value of Torah Better Than Some Likud Lawmakers

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri said in an interview tonight, Wednesday, with the Shas party newspaper that some coalition members, including from Likud, avoided voting on the Basic Law on Torah study. According to him, "Arab MKs have a greater understanding of the value of Torah than some of the Likud MKs." The remarks were reported for the first time in the main edition.

Meanwhile, Deri is working to advance holding the elections on October 13, one day before the yahrzeit of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The move has support from other coalition parties. In Likud there is concern about the proximity to the memorial day for the October 7 massacre, and the matter is still being examined. Two weeks ago, the Shabbat edition reported that Deri was prepared to give Netanyahu time and hold the elections toward the end of October, but at the same time he also needs to show Rabbis Landau and Hirsch that he is cooperating, even if only for appearances, with their demand to hold the elections as soon as possible.

It was also reported last night in the main edition that in recent weeks Netanyahu has been working to bring the Haredi parties back into the coalition, against the backdrop of the military draft law crisis and the arrests of draft dodgers. Among other things, Netanyahu met with United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf and Moti Babchik, an associate of Haredi politicians. Netanyahu told Goldknopf and Babchik that he wanted to "know how we can work together again" and "how it is possible to bring the bloc back again." When he was told that they wanted a draft law, the prime minister added, "I did what I could on the matter." Another adviser present in the room on Netanyahu's behalf added, "We were sure that your rabbis support Bismuth's bill."