Shas MK Yaakov Margi Criticizes Torah Study Law and Sparks Controversy with Harsh Remarks

Amid ongoing turmoil over Israel's new military conscription laws, Shas party MK Yaakov Margi, who recently announced his retirement from politics, publicly condemned the recently passed Basic Law on Torah Study. In a Tuesday interview on Kan Reshet Bet, Margi stated that if it were up to him, the law would not exist and that all those not engaged in Torah study should be drafted into the military. He also sharply criticized the leadership within the ultra-Orthodox community, asserting that salvation would not come from rabbis or political leaders.

Margi further ignited controversy by addressing extremist ultra-Orthodox protesters opposing conscription, saying, "If you don't want to serve, then die." This statement caused immediate public uproar. Later, in an interview with Kol Barama radio, Margi clarified his words, explaining that he meant "die in the tent of Torah," a traditional phrase, and that his harsh remarks stemmed from deep pain over the current treatment of the Torah study world, which he described as being subjected to arrests and sanctions.

The passage of the conscription law on Monday night provoked sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accused the coalition of discriminatory legislation during a critical military campaign. Opposition leaders condemned the law as dividing the nation and declared that the disgrace of its passage would forever stain Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legacy.