Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Accuses IDF Chief of Staff of Political Bias and Harm to Military

Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party, launched a sharp and unprecedented attack against IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi in an interview on July 16. Deri criticized Kochavi for sending a warning letter to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee opposing a bill initiated by Deri that exempts IDF deserters from arrest. Deri accused Kochavi of mixing politics with military affairs and claimed this was a dangerous precedent that harmed the Israel Defense Forces.

Deri stated that although he respects Kochavi personally and has defended him in the past, he believes the chief of staff has "lost it" by focusing on attacks against himself and protecting his reputation rather than addressing the issue. Deri argued that Kochavi knew the arrests would not increase military recruitment and remained silent for a month while the defense minister and prime minister promoted the bill. He further alleged that Kochavi opposed the bill personally but sent the letter to aid the left-wing political bloc, which Deri said has been trying to halt judicial reforms over the past two to three years.

Deri concluded that Kochavi's involvement in politics is inappropriate and warned that his actions have caused significant damage to the military, creating a dangerous precedent for which there will be a heavy price. He emphasized that Kochavi did not help the army with his intervention.

The controversy centers on the political and military implications of the bill exempting deserters from arrest, reflecting broader tensions over judicial reforms and the role of the military in political disputes in Israel.