Shas Threatens to Block Law Banning Red Cross Visits to Terrorist Prisoners Amid Coalition Dispute

The Shas party has threatened to withhold support for a bill that would prohibit Red Cross visits to Hamas and Nukhba terrorist prisoners held in Israel. Although Shas officially supports the legislation, the party demands progress on other laws it is promoting before voting in favor. This move comes amid ongoing coalition tensions with ultra-Orthodox parties and risks delaying the bill's advancement.

The bill was introduced following a recent Supreme Court ruling requiring explicit legislation to prevent Red Cross visits to security prisoners. The coalition is pushing the law partly because the Red Cross has reportedly refrained from acting similarly on behalf of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The National Security Committee recently approved the bill for its first reading, and it enjoys broad coalition support.

Shas's official statement emphasized their backing for all legislation but conditioned on seeing "real progress" on their own legislative priorities. This stance signals that Shas is leveraging its support to advance its agenda amid the coalition crisis. Important Shas-backed bills, such as the Basic Law on Torah Study, are scheduled for discussion soon, yet the party insists on linking their support to these issues. The threat to block the Red Cross visit ban bill highlights the growing power struggles within the governing coalition.