Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Surround Shas MK Michael Malchieli, Call Him 'Murderer' Over Draft Law Support

On Saturday night in Jerusalem, Shas party MK Michael Malchieli was surrounded by ultra-Orthodox protesters after attending Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's weekly lesson. The demonstrators shouted "Malchieli murderer" and pounded on his car as he entered it. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef was also present at the scene.

The protest was sparked by Malchieli's support for advancing the controversial military draft law, which has caused significant unrest within the ultra-Orthodox community. This incident occurred shortly after a renewed rapprochement between Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, marked by a letter from senior Torah sage Rabbi Moshe Maya emphasizing the preservation of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's legacy and assigning Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef a leadership role in Shas institutions.

The letter also reaffirmed Deri's leadership of the Shas movement, despite ongoing internal tensions over the draft law and the party's stance toward the ultra-Orthodox public. Shas is currently attempting to stabilize its ranks and calm the anger among its base, but the Jerusalem protest highlighted the continuing pressure and division caused by the draft legislation within the party and the broader ultra-Orthodox community.