Shas threatens to block all coalition legislation over draft and yeshiva laws

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri told his faction meeting on Wednesday that his party will block all coalition legislation until the government advances laws demanded by the ultra-Orthodox public. He said the faction had informed the coalition whip that “as long as the law to stop arrests and the Basic Law on Torah study are not advanced, we will not support any coalition legislation.”

Deri also condemned recent arrests of Torah students, saying, “The violent arrests against Torah learners must stop.” His remarks reflected growing anger in the ultra-Orthodox parties over the coalition’s handling of their key legislation.

At the same time, United Torah Judaism lawmaker Moshe Gafni told the coalition he would not move any legislation without a clear commitment. “As long as the daycare law is not approved, no law will pass,” he said, adding, “I’ve had enough of false promises, I will not embarrass myself anymore.”

The frustration stems from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement last week that the daycare law will not pass in the current term, despite being a top priority for the ultra-Orthodox factions. There has also been no progress on the Basic Law on Torah study or on the arrests bill, despite repeated promises. According to a report cited by the article, the first bill likely to be blocked is Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s telecom bill. Senior Shas figures said that until the Torah study law and the arrests law pass, “no law will pass, including the communications law.”