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Shas

Shas is a major Israeli Haredi religious political party representing Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews. Led by Aryeh Deri, it is a pivotal member of the national-religious coalition, focusing on the preservation of Torah study, social welfare for its constituency, and the strengthening of Israel's Jewish identity.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
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Shas (an acronym for Shomrei Sfarad) was founded in 1984 under the spiritual leadership of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. It emerged as a movement to restore the pride of Sephardic Jewry and address socio-economic gaps. Today, it operates as a disciplined political force and a critical pillar of Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The party's influence extends through its independent education system, 'Ma'ayan HaChinuch HaTorani,' and its extensive network of social services.

In the current legislative session, Shas has positioned itself at the center of the debate over the 'Basic Law: Torah Study.' This proposed legislation seeks to grant constitutional status to full-time Torah study, equating it with national service. Chairman Aryeh Deri has described the bill's advancement as a 'historic correction' and a formal recognition of the Torah's supreme value to the State of Israel. However, this push has created significant friction with secular and nationalist elements of the coalition and opposition, particularly regarding the equality of the national burden.

Shas also faces internal and external pressures regarding security-related legislation. Recently, the party has been embroiled in a public dispute with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over a bill to bar Red Cross visits to security prisoners. While Shas has historically aligned with security-first policies, its tactical decisions—such as boycotting specific votes or conditioning support on daycare funding for Haredi families—have led to accusations from coalition partners of harming national security. Despite these tensions, Shas remains a stabilizing force for the Haredi-religious bloc, balancing its commitment to its spiritual leadership with the pragmatic requirements of governing in a multi-front crisis. The party's ability to navigate these legislative deadlocks will likely determine the longevity of the current Knesset.

03 · Related Coverage

Full Reports

  • Eisenkot slams coalition's draft-dodging Basic Law as a strike at national spine

    Former IDF Chief of Staff and war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot issued a sharp rebuke of the coalition on Wednesday evening, characterizing the push for a Basic Law on Torah study as a direct assault on Israel's national resilience. Eisenkot argued that while Torah study remains a vital value, it cannot be used as a political shield to justify abandoning the collective duty of national defense.

  • Basic Law: Torah Study set for first Knesset reading Wednesday evening; critics call it declarative only

    The Knesset is expected to pass the first reading of the Basic Law: Torah Study on Wednesday evening, according to reports from political commentator Chaim Cohen. The current version of the bill has been significantly altered, with the removal of a controversial clause that would have legally equated full-time Torah study with military service in the Israel Defense Forces.

  • Torah Study Basic Law fails in Knesset vote as Shas and UTJ absent themselves

    The Torah Study Basic Law failed to pass a Knesset plenum vote on Tuesday evening after the Haredi coalition partners, Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), chose to absent themselves from the chamber. The bill, which sought to grant constitutional status to Torah study as a national value equivalent to military service, collapsed amid internal coalition friction and sharp opposition from secularist factions.

  • Knesset Committee approves Basic Law: Torah Study for first reading despite opposition protests

    The Knesset Committee formally approved the Basic Law: Torah Study for its first reading on Tuesday, clearing a major legislative hurdle despite vocal protests from opposition members during the session. The bill, a central demand of the Haredi coalition parties, is now scheduled to move to the Knesset plenum for a vote on Wednesday.

  • Haredi Rabbi Curses IDF Chief at Bnei Brak Rally; Defense Minister Condemns Incitement

    At a rally in Bnei Brak on Monday night, Rabbi Aryeh Yezdi launched a vitriolic attack on IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, cursing him and labeling the military a "defiled state." The incident, which took place in the presence of Shas lawmakers, drew immediate condemnation from Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that such incitement crosses a dangerous red line during a time of national conflict.

  • Coalition seniors warn Netanyahu: Haredi legislation delay erodes your position, dissolve Knesset now

    Senior coalition figures have warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that further delays in advancing Haredi-backed legislation are weakening his political standing, urging him to dissolve the Knesset as early as this week. According to reports from Amit Segal (N12) on Saturday night, these figures are pushing the Prime Minister to enter a transitional government period rather than continue the current legislative deadlock.

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