Shas and Jerusalem Faction Clash Intensifies Over Protest Funding
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The Shas party and leaders of the Jerusalem Faction's protests are engaged in a heated dispute, with Shas accusing the faction of receiving funding from the Kaplan protest movement. The Jerusalem Faction denies these claims, asserting their struggle is independent and for Torah scholars. Shas, in turn, accuses the Attorney General of orchestrating arrests to harm the right-wing bloc and claims to have evidence of Kaplan funding for the protests. The escalating conflict highlights Shas's efforts to differentiate itself from the more extreme protest elements.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas accuses Jerusalem Faction protest leaders of receiving funding from the Kaplan protest movement.
- The Committee for "Saving the World of Torah" denies any connection to the Kaplan movement.
- Shas alleges the Attorney General is orchestrating arrests to damage the right-wing bloc.
- The Jerusalem Faction claims their protests are independent and solely for Torah scholars.
- Shas is attempting to distance itself from the Jerusalem Faction's disruptive protests.
Tensions are escalating between the Shas party and leaders of the Jerusalem Faction's protests, particularly following a large Haredi demonstration sparked by the arrest of a yeshiva student. Shas has accused the protest organizers of having ties to the Kaplan protest movement and of receiving funding from them. The Committee for "Saving the World of Torah" has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that their struggle is independent and solely for the sake of Torah scholars. They also accused Shas of fabricating claims about external funding, recalling similar accusations made in the past when Sephardic rabbis opposed legislation promoted by Arieh Deri.
In response, Shas accused the Attorney General of orchestrating the arrests and chaos to undermine the right-wing bloc and alienate the Haredi public. Shas claims to possess evidence that Kaplan protest movement activists are financing the demonstrations, suggesting these activists have joined with extremist elements to conduct violent, life-threatening protests. Shas urged the public not to be swayed by the Attorney General or the funding from Kaplan, stating that such actions do not represent the Haredi public and cause severe damage to the cause of Torah scholars.
Shas appears to be deliberately distancing itself from the Jerusalem Faction and its anti-draft protests. An announcement attributed to "Shas activists" called on the public not to participate in the Jerusalem Faction's demonstrations and harshly criticized protesters who allegedly disrupted an official event attended by Shas chairman Arieh Deri. The announcement described these individuals as "crazy" and "funded by Kaplan protest activists," accusing them of attempting to sabotage a Shas rabbis' conference and harm Rabbi Deri. Shas further alleged that this "anarchist fringe group" has caused immense damage to the Haredi community, engaging in destructive behavior and tarnishing its reputation.
This sharp exchange comes amid ongoing Jerusalem Faction protests and road blockages. It aligns with Shas's recent efforts to portray itself as a defender of Torah scholars while not opposing IDF soldiers. This strategy was exemplified by a campaign video showing a soldier returning home for Shabbat, intended to counter claims of Shas supporting draft evasion. Shas emphasized that it represents tens of thousands of soldiers and reservists, alongside Torah scholars. The video was later removed by the election committee chairman due to its use of a soldier's image for propaganda.
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