Shas Leader Urges Support for Communications Law in Exchange for Torah Study Legislation

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas party and former Chief Rabbi, has called on Shas faction chairman Aryeh Deri to back Communications Minister Shlomo Karai's communications law. Yosef's handwritten response to Karai's request links support for the communications bill to the approval of a Basic Law on Torah Study and legislation on kosher certification for Haredi Jews. He emphasized the urgency of passing the Torah Study law without delay and stressed the importance of kosher laws to protect the Jewish people from consuming forbidden foods. Yosef wrote, "The Torah is above all," urging immediate cooperation with authorities on these matters.

This development follows the announcement by Haredi factions in the Knesset that they would oppose Karai's communications law, citing concerns that it could permit Sabbath desecration and exposure to inappropriate content. United Torah Judaism criticized Shas for allegedly compromising on Sabbath observance and content standards in exchange for minor kosher supervision roles. The opposition from United Torah Judaism casts doubt on the coalition's ability to pass one of Karai's flagship bills.

A legal opinion from the Knesset's legal advisor stated that no substantial amendments can be made to the bill at this stage, preventing the inclusion of requested changes by United Torah Judaism, particularly regarding Sabbath observance and restrictions on pornographic content in the government app. Following this, United Torah Judaism declared it would not support the bill, complicating the coalition's efforts to complete the legislation during the current Knesset session.