Shas Chairman Deri: No Coalition Without Settling Status of Yeshiva Students
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas demands resolution of yeshiva student status before joining any coalition.
- Chairman Aryeh Deri expressed fears of yeshiva students being arrested.
- Former PM Naftali Bennett strongly criticized Deri's remarks as heartless.
- The issue is linked to recent Haredi protests and clashes over draft dodgers.
- Opposition calls for full conscription, Haredi parties seek legal status for scholars.
Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri has set a non-negotiable condition for his party's entry into any future coalition: the resolution of the status of yeshiva students and draft dodgers. Deri stated that entire families live in uncertainty and fear, with parents worried their sons studying in yeshivas might be arrested and imprisoned. He declared, "We will not enter any government before the status of Torah scholars is settled."
Deri's remarks have drawn sharp criticism. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Deri's stance as "heartless" and demonstrating an unprecedented disconnect, especially during a time of national mourning for fallen soldiers and civilians. Bennett asserted that Deri's statement must be deeply troubling to hundreds of thousands of Likud supporters whose children are currently fighting on the front lines, questioning their belief that these are Netanyahu's partners. He concluded that a vote for Netanyahu is a vote for Deri and "unbearable disconnect."
Deri's comments come amid escalating protests within the Haredi sector against the arrest of draft dodgers, including recent nightly clashes in Modi'in following the arrest of a yeshiva student. The issue has ignited a broad political controversy, with the opposition calling for a halt to funding and full conscription, while Haredi party leaders demand legal recognition for Torah scholars.
