Shas MP Defends Party’s Support for Soldiers Amid Controversy Over Campaign Video

Shas party member of Knesset Yosef Tayeb responded to criticism sparked by a recent Shas election video that featured soldiers and yeshiva students. Tayeb rejected claims that the video conveyed a negative attitude toward IDF servicemen, emphasizing that the party strongly supports soldiers and reservists. He explained that the video aimed to portray the complexity of Shas-affiliated families, where soldiers and yeshiva students coexist and respect each other around the same Sabbath table.

Tayeb highlighted Shas’s longstanding backing of legislation benefiting soldiers and reservists, including scholarships, academic admissions preferences, and other benefits he promoted as chairman of the Education Committee. He stressed, "We are with the soldiers all the way. We appreciate and love them." To illustrate, Tayeb shared that four of his brothers serve in the military, with three having over 500 days in reserve duty in Syria, Lebanon, and the West Bank.

He clarified that the video’s message was to show mutual respect between Torah learners and soldiers, not conflict. Yeshiva students pray for and honor soldiers, while soldiers appreciate the spiritual role of Torah study. Tayeb linked this message to the teachings of Shas’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who emphasized protecting Torah study alongside recognizing Israel’s broader reality. Tayeb recalled Rabbi Ovadia’s mourning over his son Rabbi Yaakov Yosef’s death, noting the rabbi’s concern about threats to Torah study’s status.

The party aims to convey unity within the traditional community, showing diverse members united by shared values, as in previous campaigns depicting traditional families together. Tayeb’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over Shas’s stance on military service and the party’s role in Israeli politics.