Right-Wing Commentator Warns Netanyahu His Alliance with Ultra-Orthodox Could Cost Him Power

Avi Shoshan, a prominent right-wing media figure and panelist on the show "The Patriots," sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conscription equality issue and his alliance with ultra-Orthodox parties. In an interview on Yossi Marshak's "Go Look For It" podcast, Shoshan warned Netanyahu that his blind alliance with the ultra-Orthodox parties, particularly Shas and United Torah Judaism, would ultimately cost him politically. He stated that a large segment of the Israeli public, including traditional right-wing supporters, is no longer willing to tolerate the current priorities and lack of progress on equal burden sharing, especially regarding military conscription.

Shoshan predicted surprising results in the upcoming elections, suggesting they may not favor either Likud or the ultra-Orthodox parties. He emphasized that while the alliance secured Netanyahu a government, it will not guarantee him the next term. According to Shoshan, the Israeli public, regardless of political or ethnic background, expects equal military service, and the exemption of the ultra-Orthodox is increasingly unacceptable.

He directly criticized the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox parties, particularly Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, accusing him of transforming Shas from a broad traditional party into a narrow ultra-Orthodox faction, betraying the vision of its founder Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Shoshan also condemned United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf, calling his behavior shameful and highlighting the public's frustration with the ultra-Orthodox refusal to serve in the military, especially after the October 7 attacks. Shoshan argued that the ultra-Orthodox community failed to grasp the gravity of the situation and that their stance is no longer acceptable to the Israeli public.