Makor RishonPolitics18:25

Shas Recommends Netanyahu for Prime Minister, Herzog Presses on Draft

By שיר ששון

Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba

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Shas party representatives met with President Yitzhak Herzog and recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government. The discussions heavily focused on the contentious issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox men into the military, with party members defending Torah scholars' right to study and refuting claims of universal opposition to enlistment. President Herzog questioned the party on the draft issue and low voting among soldiers. Shas also called for a broad unity government.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Shas party recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government during consultations with President Yitzhak Herzog.
The meeting focused on the sensitive issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox men into the military.
President Herzog questioned Shas representatives about the contradiction between Torah study and military service.
Shas MK Yinon Azulai defended the right of yeshiva students to study and refuted claims of universal opposition to enlistment.
Shas called for the establishment of a broad unity government.
Shas Chairman Der'i was instructed by the Council of Torah Sages to remain in his position.

Representatives from the Shas party met with President Yitzhak Herzog on Wednesday as part of consultations for forming the next government, recommending that the mandate be given to Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meeting, Shas called for the establishment of a unity government, but the primary focus of the discussion was the sensitive issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox men into the military, public perception of Torah scholars, and the societal gaps between the Haredi and general Israeli populations.

Shas delegation members, including Yinon Azulai, Michael Malchieli, Yoav Ben-Tzur, Haim Biton, and Dror Amos, voiced concerns about the treatment of the ultra-Orthodox community. Malchieli protested what he described as incitement against the Haredi public, stating, "It is inconceivable that a tribe of Israel will experience such incitement. I call from here for this to stop; we must protect Torah scholars."

President Herzog posed pointed questions to the Shas representatives regarding the draft issue. He sought to understand the perceived contradiction between Torah study and military service and inquired how Shas explains the low voting rates among IDF soldiers for the party. MK Yinon Azulai responded that the party aims to protect the right of yeshiva students to continue their studies without interruption, while maintaining respect for IDF soldiers. He refuted the notion that the Haredi community universally opposes conscription, saying, "Unfortunately, there is mind manipulation regarding the Haredi public. That we all 'die and don't enlist,' it's not like that."

Azulai also addressed the differences between the Haredi and Religious Zionist communities concerning conscription and the authority of their respective rabbis. Ben-Tzur highlighted the significant contributions of the Haredi public, noting, "The Haredi public is the largest volunteering public that exists."

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Shas delegation officially recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to form the government and reiterated their call for a broad unity government. Unlike the Religious Zionist party representatives who met earlier, Shas delegates left the President's residence without making a statement to the press. In separate news, it was revealed that Shas Chairman Der'i had requested to resign but was instructed by the Council of Torah Sages to remain in his position, being called "the most experienced general."