Shas Leader Yinnon Azoulai Demands Yeshiva Students' Status Fix Before Joining Next Coalition

Yinnon Azoulai, chairman of the Shas party in the Knesset, declared that formalizing the status of yeshiva students will be a fundamental condition for Shas to join any coalition after the upcoming elections. Speaking on Kol Chai radio, Azoulai criticized temporary solutions and emphasized that Shas will no longer accept short-term fixes regarding yeshiva students' military conscription and related legislation. He stated, "We will not settle for a law only about arrests, period. We intend to regulate the status of Torah students once and for all immediately after the elections." Azoulai acknowledged the need to consider the Israel Defense Forces' requirements but insisted that temporary measures are unacceptable.

Azoulai also pledged to introduce override clauses and necessary legislation early in the new Knesset term to prevent courts from invalidating laws, asserting that the people's electoral will must be implemented without judicial obstruction. Additionally, he criticized the failure of the "temporary arrest law" and warned against political alliances with opposition factions. Specifically, he rejected cooperation with Gadi Eizenkot's list, condemning the inclusion of figures like Elazar Stern, who he said has made harsh statements against the Haredi community. Azoulai questioned how Shas could partner with parties containing such opponents, citing recent offensive remarks as evidence.

This stance signals Shas's firm position on protecting the interests of the Haredi community, particularly regarding military conscription and legal protections, as it prepares for coalition negotiations following the next elections.