Shas Campaign Video Linking Torah and IDF Sparks Fierce Backlash Over Draft Controversy

Shas released a new campaign video aiming to connect the world of Torah study with IDF soldiers, showing a traditional family welcoming a soldier home for Shabbat. The video highlights that around 30,000 soldiers and security personnel reportedly vote for Shas and features a yeshiva student telling his soldier brother he studied Torah on behalf of him and all IDF soldiers. However, the campaign quickly drew sharp criticism on social media due to the ongoing controversy over yeshiva students' military draft exemptions and Shas rabbis' opposition to enlistment.

Journalist Akiva Novik criticized the campaign harshly, pointing out that Shas leader Aryeh Deri's own grandsons refuse to serve in the IDF and are considered draft dodgers. Novik sarcastically noted the irony of Shas promoting soldiers in a campaign while opposing the draft internally. Journalist Tal Schneider also condemned the video, calling it embarrassing and accusing Shas of pandering to soldiers after years of encouraging draft evasion.

Yulia Malinovsky, a Knesset member from Yisrael Beiteinu, joined the criticism, labeling the video staged and questioning Shas's connection to the IDF given its promotion of draft evasion and pride in Deri's draft-dodging grandsons. The video comes amid heated election debates over the conscription of yeshiva students, with Shas trying to appeal both to its traditional base and to voters serving in the military and security forces.