Shas Proposes 'Bennett Law' in Retaliation for Former PM's Remarks

Following statements made by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the Shas party has responded with a legislative proposal of its own. MK Michael Malchieli sharply criticized Bennett, suggesting that in the next government, a "Bennett Law" will be enacted. This law would prevent politicians who "steal" the premiership with few mandates, against their voters' wishes, from running for the Knesset again. The strong reaction from Malchieli stems from Bennett's earlier declaration at the International Counter-Terrorism Conference at Reichman University. In his speech, Bennett set a prerequisite for his "Achva" party to join the next government: the passage of a "Deri Law." This law would bar individuals who evaded IDF service or encouraged such evasion from serving in the Security Cabinet. However, Bennett's proposal contained a factual error, as he named the law after Shas Chairman Arieh Deri, portraying him as a symbol of draft evasion. In reality, Deri served in the IDF after enlisting in 1986 for a short term. Political circles quickly mocked Bennett's mistake, leading to the swift counter-proposal of the "Bennett Law" by the Shas faction.