Shas chairman Aryeh Deri told the party faction Monday that the violent arrests of yeshiva students must stop and informed the coalition chairman that Shas will not support any coalition legislation until a law freezing such arrests and a Basic Law: Torah Study pass, according to Amit Segal (N12).
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri escalated the coalition crisis over Haredi conscription Monday, threatening to withhold support for all coalition legislation unless two laws advance: a halt to arrests of yeshiva students who avoid draft service, and a Basic Law enshrining Torah study.
Deri's statement at the party faction meeting — "The violent arrests of Torah learners must stop" — comes as tensions over enforcement of the draft law have simmered for weeks. The push follows an earlier agreement among coalition leaders in mid-June to advance both bills before the Knesset disperses, though that pledge has yet to produce legislation.
The demand creates a direct test of coalition discipline. With no commitment yet from Prime Minister Netanyahu or Likud to fast-track Deri's bills, the Shas ultimatum could stall other coalition initiatives.
3 developments
- StrongShas leader Deri demands Torah Study Basic Law vote as condition for coalition support
- StrongUnited Torah Judaism joins Shas in blocking coalition legislation unless draft-evader arrests end and Torah study Basic Law passes
- StrongHaredi parties threaten to boycott all coalition legislation unless arrest law passes next
- DevelopingCoalition leaders agree: Basic Law Torah Study and freeze on draft-dodger arrests to pass before Knesset disperses
Source and signal
- Open-source intake