Shas Party Debated Shifting Stance on Haredi Draft, Recordings Reveal
Internal recordings reveal that the Shas party considered changing its policy on drafting Haredi men, a move that sparked opposition from Rabbi Moshe Tzadka. The recordings suggest the party initially proposed that non-Torah scholars should be drafted, but later considered exempting them as well. Rabbi Tzadka was reportedly dissuaded from publishing a letter against the party after senior rabbis intervened. Shas has denied any shift in its official stance.
הידיעה ב-5 שורות · תקציר של baba
- Recordings show Shas considered changing its stance on drafting Haredi men, sparking internal debate.
- Rabbi Moshe Tzadka opposed a potential shift that would exempt non-Torah scholars from military service.
- Senior rabbis intervened to convince Rabbi Tzadka not to publish a letter against Shas.
- Shas denies any change in its official position on Haredi conscription.
- MK Yinon Azulai claimed Shas proposed sanctions that were obstructed by coalition members.
Internal recordings featuring Rabbi Moshe Tzadka, released by Kan News on the eve of elections, have exposed internal disagreements within the Shas party regarding the conscription of Haredi men. The recordings suggest that Shas considered altering its campaign stance, which initially stated that non-Torah scholars must enlist, to a position where even those not studying would be exempt from military service.
This potential policy shift reportedly caused significant opposition from Rabbi Tzadka, who was considering publishing a letter urging people not to vote for the party led by Arieh Deri. Senior rabbis from the movement visited Rabbi Tzadka on Saturday night in an attempt to dissuade him from publishing the letter, and he ultimately agreed not to do so.
In the recordings, Rabbi Tzadka questioned the party's evolving position, referencing a previous stance attributed to the party that even those not studying should serve. He criticized the potential change, stating, "So we said, on what basis are you in the Knesset? Based on Rabbi Ovadia, who said not like this, that even a God-fearing person is forbidden to go. You are acting against Rabbi Ovadia, so how can one vote for you?"
However, Rabbi Tzadka later acknowledged in the recordings that the party had reversed its potential change, stating, "In the end, they backed down, and if they backed down, that's fine." Earlier in the month, MK Yinon Azulai of Shas had stated in an interview that the party's position was that those who do not study should enlist, while those who do study should continue their studies. Azulai also claimed that Shas had proposed economic and criminal sanctions, but coalition members had obstructed them.
Shas has denied any change in its official position, issuing a statement that the report is incorrect and that the party's stance has not shifted. The party asserted it would continue to unite all segments of the nation, noting that thousands of soldiers and Torah scholars vote for Shas. They also accused unspecified "leftist elements" funded by foreign money of attempting to sow discord within the right-wing bloc.
לא אותו אירוע: ידיעות אחרות שחולקות עם הידיעה הזו אנשים, מקומות או נושא. רקע, תגובות והמשכים.
