Deri Reportedly Warns United Torah Judaism Against Joining Change-Bloc Government

Shas leader Aryeh Deri reportedly warned United Torah Judaism against joining a government led by the change bloc without guarantees that legislation regulating yeshiva students’ status would pass. The private remarks, newly reported on Sunday, concerned the ability of Haredi parties to secure those commitments during coalition negotiations. Deri reportedly argued that United Torah Judaism had no guarantee the conscription bill would be enacted. He cited what he described as the Knesset legal advisers’ position that the legislation could not pass before a government was sworn in. He also reportedly argued that a government with sufficient support from Arab parties would not need the Haredi parties to survive or pass its budget. In that situation, he warned, they would lack parliamentary leverage to enforce their demands concerning yeshiva students. Deri said, according to the report, “Shas will not hold talks with the change bloc.” Shas had publicly reaffirmed its position on November 10. In its official statement, the party said it had recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to the president on the Council of Torah Sages’ instructions, following Netanyahu’s undertaking to advance legislation regulating yeshiva students’ status. Shas said it continued to support Netanyahu and was not negotiating with anyone else.