United Torah leadership advances Israel’s Draft Law despite fringe agitators sowing division amid regional threats.
The Sephardic-haredi Shas party has formally approved moving forward with Israel’s Draft Law inside the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, marking a major step in the coalition’s attempt to stabilize the ultra-Orthodox enlistment framework. The decision comes just one day after Degel HaTorah, the Lithuanian-haredi faction, declared its own support for the bill—creating an unprecedented alignment among the major Torah-observant parties.
Two weeks ago, the Committee of Yeshiva Heads, led by Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel of the Council of Torah Sages and Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, convened for a full strategic briefing. Former minister Ariel Atias and MK Yinon Azoulay presented the details of the Draft Law, after which the rabbis held lengthy, in-depth deliberations to determine halachic and communal implications.
According to Shas’ Haderech newspaper, the outcome was unequivocal:
Representatives are to advance the legislation—but only under continuous guidance from the Council of Torah Sages and the Committee of Yeshiva Heads. Every clause, every amendment, every vote will follow strict rabbinic instruction until the final version is approved.
Council of Torah Sages: “Our MKs Are 100% Subordinate to Torah Leadership”
The Council issued a sharply worded public letter responding to accusations that Shas MKs were straying from rabbinic direction. The leadership not only rejected the claims—they condemned them as deliberate attempts to fracture the Torah world.
“We cannot remain silent when disreputable individuals act with lies and deceit to sow division,” the letter declared. “There is no rift among the Torah leaders. Let the mouths of liars be silenced.”
The Council emphasized full backing for Rabbi Aryeh Deri, praising him as a “man of many actions” faithfully protecting the Torah community amid fierce political pressure.
Violent Protests Target Haredi MKs
The rabbinic leadership also addressed the disturbing string of violent protests against haredi lawmakers. In recent days:
- Shas MK Yoav Ben Tzur was physically attacked,
- UTJ MK Yakov Asher faced demonstrations outside his home,
- Shas MK Yinon Azoulay was similarly targeted.
The Council condemned these attacks as baseless persecution against the “emissaries of the rabbis,” stressing that such actions undermine the Torah community and weaken Israel at a critical moment—especially as hostile Palestinian and Arab actors seek to exploit internal divisions.
A Unified Torah Front During National Uncertainty
Despite the tension, the alignment of Shas, Degel HaTorah, and the Council of Torah Sages signals a rare moment of unity. With Israel confronting existential regional threats and ongoing political pressure, Torah leadership is determined to navigate the Draft Law responsibly—preserving Torah study, maintaining national unity, and preventing extremists from tearing the community apart.
