Shas Threatens Netanyahu Bloc Over Torah Study Basic Law Passage

For the first time since the coalition's formation, the Shas party has issued a stark warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies, threatening the unity of the religious bloc if the Basic Law on Torah Study does not pass. The warning appeared in an editorial in Shas's official publication, HaDerech, emphasizing that without a shared core principle, there can be no united camp. The editorial criticized members within the bloc who are considering softening or amending the law under pressure from a media campaign and legal advisors concerned about budgetary and benefits implications.

Shas framed the upcoming week as a critical juncture, questioning whether the religious bloc still exists or if it was merely a temporary political alliance. The party warned that yielding to the smear campaign would dismantle the "natural alliance" that has supported the religious community for years. The editorial made clear that Torah supporters would feel betrayed if their political partners abandoned this key issue, potentially ending their political loyalty.

This threat comes amid internal coalition tensions over the law's wording. Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, sent a firm message to Netanyahu that no changes to the agreed text would be accepted in the second and third readings. In response, coalition chairman Ofir Katz acknowledged conflicting reports about positions within the bloc and indicated that Likud might also propose amendments. The dispute highlights the fragile state of the religious-right alliance as it struggles to secure legislative achievements for yeshiva students' status.

The Basic Law on Torah Study is a central demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties, aiming to formalize and protect the status and benefits of yeshiva students. The coalition faces pressure from legal advisors and political opponents, but Shas's editorial signals a hardening stance that could threaten the bloc's cohesion if the law is compromised.