Shas Leader Urges Support for Media Law Amid Coalition Tensions Over Religious Legislation

As the Knesset prepares to enter recess next week ahead of upcoming elections, the coalition faces internal tensions over key legislation. Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef called on his party to support the media law, which is linked to approving the draft law on arrests, the Basic Law on Torah Study, and kosher certification legislation. This appeal comes amid a crisis between the ultra-Orthodox parties and the coalition regarding their refusal to back the media law promoted by Minister Shlomo Karhi.

Behind the scenes, members of the Likud and Religious Zionist parties are pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt advancement of the Basic Law on Torah Study, fearing it could harm the right-wing bloc electorally. Although the law passed its first reading with 63 votes, three MKs remain undecided, putting its final approval at risk. Netanyahu, however, is keen to maintain the right-wing bloc and demonstrate to the ultra-Orthodox that the coalition is working for them, especially as polls show he struggles to reach 61 seats.

The coalition aims to pass significant legislation next week, including laws to weaken the Attorney General's role, the Basic Law on Torah Study, kosher certification laws (nicknamed the "jobs law" for religious supervisors), and a law permitting gender segregation in academia. The draft law on arrests, which would grant temporary exemptions from IDF conscription for ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, currently has a majority but faces hesitation due to potential electoral fallout for Likud and Religious Zionist parties.

Rabbi Yosef's endorsement may revive chances for the media law's approval, despite ultra-Orthodox objections related to Sabbath violations and what they term "immoral broadcasts" on the government platform. Coalition members believe that even if the ultra-Orthodox parties do not fully support the legislation, their perception that Likud is making an effort to accommodate them will help keep them in Netanyahu's bloc. The legislative push next week represents the final major effort before the Knesset's summer recess and the approaching elections.