Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Warns Against Ultra-Orthodox Coalition Talks
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Shas party leader Aryeh Deri has broken his silence, warning that coalition talks between ultra-Orthodox parties and the "change bloc" are dangerous for the ultra-Orthodox community. He stated that United Torah Judaism lacks leverage in negotiations and cannot secure guarantees for the status of yeshiva students. Deri also affirmed that Shas will not negotiate with the "change bloc" and will remain aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu, as decided by the party's rabbinical council.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas leader Aryeh Deri warns ultra-Orthodox coalition talks with the "change bloc" are dangerous.
- Deri claims United Torah Judaism has no leverage and cannot secure guarantees for yeshiva students.
- He stated the "change bloc" does not need ultra-Orthodox parties for budget approval.
- Deri asserted Shas will not negotiate with the "change bloc" and will align with Netanyahu.
- The Shas rabbinical council reportedly decided to support Netanyahu.
Shas party leader Aryeh Deri has broken his silence regarding coalition negotiations between ultra-Orthodox parties and the "change bloc," warning that these discussions pose a significant danger to the ultra-Orthodox community's status. Deri, who has largely refrained from commenting on the matter until now, is reportedly expressing his concerns in closed-door meetings, directly opposing the efforts being advanced by the United Torah Judaism party.
According to sources close to Deri, he argues that United Torah Judaism cannot secure guarantees for regulating the status of the ultra-Orthodox due to legal opposition. He explained that the party is negotiating without leverage, as the Knesset's legal advisor has stated that the conscription law cannot be passed before a government is sworn in. Furthermore, he noted that the coalition partners in the "change bloc" do not need the ultra-Orthodox parties for the budget.
Deri cautioned that the ultra-Orthodox community could end up with nothing, stating, "This is a dangerous step to form a government on ultra-Orthodox votes and ultimately be expelled from the city without regulating the status of yeshiva students." He asserted that in any case, Shas would not participate in agreements with the "change bloc," which he deemed unreliable.
"In any case, Shas will not hold talks with the change bloc. The council decided that we are going with Netanyahu, and so it will be," Deri concluded, referencing the decision of the Shas rabbinical council to align with Benjamin Netanyahu.
