Shas Denounces Jerusalem Faction Protesters as "Crazy, You're Annoying"

The Shas movement has issued a strong condemnation of protesters from the Jerusalem Faction, calling them "crazy" and stating "you're annoying" in response to an attempt to disrupt a movement event. Activists from Shas released a sharp statement on Thursday, asserting that the "anarchist group" is causing significant damage and tarnishing the reputation of the entire Haredi public. The party emphasized its continued commitment to a state-oriented approach, distinguishing itself from extremist elements.

Shas is actively working to create a clear separation between itself and the Jerusalem Faction's violent protests against military conscription. The statement, distributed under the signature "Shas Activists," urged the public not to participate in the Faction's demonstrations. It also launched a fierce attack on protesters who allegedly tried to disrupt an official conference attended by the movement's chairman, Arie Deri.

The statement claimed that violent extremists from the Faction, allegedly funded by participants in the Kaplan protest movement, attempted to sabotage a conference of Shas rabbis and harm Rabbi Arie Deri. The activists further alleged that this fringe, anarchist group has already inflicted immense damage on the Haredi community, continuing to burn barns, sow destruction, and damage the reputation of all Haredim, urging them to "get out of our camp."

This sharp message comes amid ongoing Jerusalem Faction protests and road blockades. It aligns with Shas's strategy in recent months to portray the movement as a responsible, state-oriented entity that defends Torah scholars while not opposing IDF soldiers. This positioning was notably reflected in an election video showing a soldier returning home on Shabbat, which Shas explained was intended to counter claims of supporting draft evasion and to highlight that the party represents tens of thousands of soldiers, reservists, and career military personnel alongside Torah scholars. The video was later removed by the election committee chairman due to the use of a soldier's image for propaganda purposes.