Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri Criticizes IDF Chief for Political Interference Over Draft Law

Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party, sharply criticized IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi in a Thursday interview with Kikar HaShabbat. Deri condemned Kochavi for sending a letter to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee opposing a law aimed at freezing the arrests of draft-dodging ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. Deri accused Kochavi of losing focus and engaging in political battles to protect his reputation, calling the move a dangerous precedent that harms the Israel Defense Forces.

Deri, who initiated the legislation, expressed disappointment that despite the Defense Minister and Prime Minister supporting the bill and urging the committee to pass it, Kochavi remained silent for a month. He emphasized that the arrests would not increase IDF enlistment and criticized Kochavi for not speaking out sooner. Although Deri acknowledged his personal respect and friendship with Kochavi, he stated that the chief of staff has "lost it" by mixing politics with military affairs.

The controversy centers on the proposed law to halt the detention of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, a sensitive issue in Israeli society and politics. Deri's comments highlight tensions between political leaders and the military over how to handle the draft of the Haredi community. The debate is ongoing in the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, with key government figures backing the legislation despite opposition from the IDF chief.