Shas Party Official Dismisses Polls, Sets Strict Condition for Next Government

Shas party director-general and Knesset member Chaim Biton has dismissed recent polls predicting his party will win only seven seats, recalling that Shas has historically underperformed in polls but achieved 11 seats in the final election results. In an interview with 'Kikar HaShabbat', Biton defended the party's performance in the past term, attributing setbacks to the legal system and opposition to their initiatives. He emphasized Shas's unwavering loyalty to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc, but declared a non-negotiable condition for joining the next government: the passage of a conscription law that regulates the status of yeshiva students.

Biton also defended Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef against criticism, blaming the legal counsel for preventing a memorial event for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Shas's revered late spiritual leader. He questioned the funding sources for the rival 'Haredi Public' party, suggesting it is suspiciously well-funded. Biton asserted that Shas was not involved in any political aspects of the memorial event for Rabbi Yosef, despite claims to the contrary.

Addressing the challenges faced by the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, Biton acknowledged that the past term saw numerous difficult decrees impacting their sector, but argued that Shas could not have prevented them given the political circumstances and legal hurdles. He stated that Shas would actively publicize its accomplishments from the past term to counter negative perceptions. Biton also expressed confidence in the public's intelligence to understand the party's position and the complexities of the political process, particularly in light of the recent war which disrupted many plans, including the conscription law.

Regarding the rival 'Haredi Public' party, Biton raised serious questions about its funding, implying that external sources, possibly from the left, are financing its campaign, which he believes is financially unsustainable for a new party. He also downplayed the threat of smaller parties siphoning votes from Shas and United Torah Judaism, citing historical precedents where such factions failed to gain significant traction. Biton elaborated on Shas's broad appeal, noting that it represents both the Haredi and the more secular 'Am BaSadeh' (People in the Fields) segments of the population, a duality he sees as a core strength.