Israel’s coalition faces a deepening rift as Degel HaTorah vows to leave unless the draft law is immediately brought to vote—igniting internal finger-pointing and fierce accusations against Shas leader Aryeh Deri. With both UTJ and Shas now threatening to walk, the government’s stability hangs by a thread.
Tensions within Israel’s fragile coalition erupted Monday night, with Degel HaTorah—a key faction of United Torah Judaism (UTJ)—declaring its intent to withdraw from the government if the long-promised draft law isn’t presented to the Knesset plenum without delay. The ultimatum, backed by the faction’s top rabbinical leaders, comes amid growing frustration over what they view as repeated stalling.
A senior coalition official placed the blame squarely on Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri, accusing him of engineering the current crisis. “Deri is choosing to burn down the house and dismantle the government, while shifting the blame onto United Torah Judaism,” the official told Arutz Sheva.
According to the source, Deri previously blocked a motion to dissolve the Knesset just weeks ago—but is now allegedly working behind the scenes to collapse the coalition. “He’s caving to extremist haredi factions and driving the right-wing government toward self-destruction over the draft issue,” the official warned. The same source claimed Deri has been lobbying UTJ lawmakers to quit the coalition, a campaign that seemingly reached its breaking point with Monday’s dramatic directive from Degel HaTorah’s spiritual authorities.
In a sharp warning to Deri, the official cautioned: “He’ll pay dearly for this. The public sees what’s happening. His voters won’t forgive this—they’ll head to Likud in the next election.”
The crisis intensified following an unequivocal announcement from Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who ordered Degel HaTorah MKs to exit the coalition if the government fails to honor its commitment by the conclusion of the fast of the 17th of Tammuz. Although a short extension was granted for potential negotiations, their message was unmistakable: the clock is ticking, and the government is out of excuses.
Adding to the political pressure, journalist Amit Segal revealed that Degel HaTorah attempted to partner with Shas to push a Knesset dissolution bill—but Shas reportedly refused to cooperate due to its reluctance to align with Arab parties.
Despite this, Shas sources hinted they too may abandon the coalition if the draft law fails to advance before the Knesset adjourns next week. “Our patience is wearing thin,” warned a party insider—suggesting that what began as internal friction may soon ignite a full-blown collapse of Israel’s right-wing government.
