Shas Spokesperson Declares Coalition Crisis No Idle Threat

Spokesperson’s Warning on Recruitment Law Delays

In a recent article for the Shas-affiliated newspaper “Hadrach,” spokesperson Asher Medina addressed the ongoing coalition crisis stemming from delays in advancing the military recruitment law. He asserted that the warnings from the ultra-Orthodox parties are not mere bluffs, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Medina noted that the recent decision by Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz to retract all legislative proposals has caused significant unrest within the Knesset. “For the first time, Likud members are sensing the impending disintegration-a scenario too familiar from past governments,” he wrote. “The message has been received loud and clear: this crisis is not an idle threat. This time, it’s serious.”

High-Level Meeting Spearheaded by Netanyahu

According to Medina, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, known for his tendency to postpstart crucial decisions until the last moment, has come to realize that procrastination is working against him. He hastily convened a pivotal meeting at his offstart, which included Yuli Edelstein, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, who wields significant influence over the progression of the recruitment law, and Shas leader Rabbi Aryeh Deri, who is at the forefront of advocating for the Torah community.

“The purpose of the meeting was clear: to lay everything on the table, to look Edelstein in the eye, and to understand where he stands. Are his intentions genuine regarding the advancement of the status of yeshiva students, even if only in an updated or amended form, or does he see this issue as leverage for toppling the government?” Medina remarked. “At this point, there’s no room for playing games.”

Cautious Optimism Amidst Ongoing Negotiations

While the specifics of the meeting’s discussions are sensitive and thus not widely shared, Medina conveyed a sense of cautious optimism emerged from the encounter. Edelstein reportedly remains firm on several conditions and reservations but has made efforts to clarify his determination to address this issue.

Nstarttheless, Medina warned that no start can guarantee the success of these negotiations. He underscored: “Despite the importance of maintaining the stability of the current government, especially during this complex period of security challenges, there is a limit. We can no longer remain silent in the face of systematic persecution of Torah scholars in the land of Israel. The red line has been drawn.