Latest news with #yeshiva students
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deri and Lapid clash over IDF draft law, sanctions on ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students
Aryeh Deri responded to the Attorney-General's discussion on the High Court of Justice consideration over the draft law and the plan to toughen sanctions against yeshiva students who don't enlist. Shas chairman Aryeh Deri on Wednesday responded to the attorney general's discussion on the High Court of Justice deliberations over the draft law and the plan to toughen sanctions against ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students who do not enlist. Deri's remarks prompted a sharp exchange with opposition leader Yair Lapid after he lashed out at Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara. "The draconian directives issued today by the attorney-general against Torah scholars in the Jewish state are a disgrace and a loss of composure," he said. "The use of extreme measures, treating yeshiva students as if they were criminals, should shock every Jew who loves and respects the Torah. We will not allow any authority to interfere with a yeshiva student's dedication to Torah study." "Minister Deri, instead of attacking the attorney-general who is merely upholding the law, your duty is to tell the yeshiva students: 'Israel is fighting for its existence; there is no choice but for you to enlist alongside your brothers on the battlefield.' Anyone who sits in the cabinet and sends soldiers to die in Gaza has no moral right to encourage draft evasion," Lapid countered. The Shas party responded to Lapid in a statement. "Mr. Opposition Leader, you are disconnected. Rabbi Deri is not a minister and not a cabinet member. He participates as a guest in select forums due to his judgment as a responsible figure. He does not 'send soldiers to their deaths,' as you offensively phrased it, but contributes to Israel's security and saves lives, as he did during the operation in Iran and other security events, as attested by security officials." "It is time you internalized," the Shas statement read. "Torah students are not draft dodgers—they are the foundation of our existence, as we saw in the miracles during the Iranian missile attack. They make a decisive contribution to Israel's security. The real draft dodgers are in the areas you represent—in Tel Aviv, where enlistment rates are low. Enough with the shirking." In response, Lapid slammed the statement, calling it a "disgrace" to the memory of fallen soldiers. "Since the start of the war, 29 fallen soldiers have come from Tel Aviv," Lapid fired back. "This statement by Shas is a disgrace to the memory of IDF soldiers. Not only do they promote draft evasion and refusal, but now they are also dishonoring the memory of our heroes. I expect Aryeh Deri to apologize for Shas's shameful statement."
Al Mayadeen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Haredi parties boycott Knesset over delayed military exemption bill
The ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) parties announced a boycott of Monday's Knesset plenum session in protest of the absence of legislation granting military service exemptions for yeshiva students, according to Israeli media. This full boycott marks an escalation from their previous partial legislative protest, during which they refused to vote on private members' bills advanced by coalition partners. Senior UTJ officials told Israel Hayom that Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein 'is not providing a draft [of the bill],' which they interpret as a retreat from previous agreements. 'The ultra-Orthodox parties will not be able to sit and vote with a coalition that supports such a law,' they said. Edelstein reportedly showed a Haredi representative a softened version of the conscription bill, but only in the form of a general outline, not a full draft, according to "Israel's" Channel 12. A senior UTJ source told The Times of Israel that Edelstein's presentation was "nonsense", adding that they were still waiting for a serious legislative proposal. A member of Edelstein's committee told The Times of Israel that a draft of the revised bill was expected to be presented on Monday, though no official confirmation had been issued. The ongoing boycott may delay the appointment of UTJ MK Yisrael Eichler as housing minister, reflecting the potential political cost of the internal coalition rift. Read more: Haredi parties push for Knesset dissolution, call PM 'a burden' In a related context, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri criticized opposition Leader Yair Lapid for comments accusing the Haredi leadership of hypocrisy. Lapid had claimed that Haredi politicians were willing to send others' children to fight while ensuring their own were exempt from service. During his Yesh Atid faction's weekly meeting, Lapid condemned the exemption push, naming Deri and committee member Yaakov Asher (UTJ), saying they 'have no problem sending [reserve] soldiers to go fight and die on one condition: that their own children not die.' Deri responded with a sharp rebuttal, claiming that 'the percentage of soldiers who serve and risk their lives among Shas voters is higher than among your party's voters.' He accused Lapid of inciting against an entire community, calling his remarks 'serious and false incitement.' He called on Lapid to retract what he described as an 'inflammatory slur'. This standoff highlights the broader political friction over the contentious issue of yeshiva student conscription, which continues to threaten coalition unity. Read more: Eisenkot to resign from Knesset, leave Gantz' party over differences
