Shas Spiritual Leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Dismisses Netanyahu's Repentance Possibility

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, president of the Council of Torah Sages of the Shas party, sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his weekly lesson on Saturday night. Yosef described Israel as a secular state rather than a religious one and expressed skepticism about many Israelis returning to religious observance. He specifically stated that Netanyahu has no chance of repenting, saying, "Bibi Netanyahu will return to repentance? There is no chance." In contrast, Yosef mentioned Benny Gantz, leader of the Yesh Atid party, suggesting that Gantz might indeed repent. The remarks reflect a rare and direct spiritual critique from a prominent ultra-Orthodox leader toward the prime minister and other political figures, highlighting divisions within Israeli society and politics. Yosef's comments came amid ongoing tensions between secular and religious communities in Israel and signal a sharp stance from Shas's spiritual leadership.