As tensions escalate between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the chareidi parties over the draft law crisis, new developments reveal mounting political instability. A private, one-on-one meeting took place on Wednesday between MK Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, and Rav Reuven Elbaz, a senior member of Shas’s Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. The meeting was held at Rav Elbaz’s residence.
Simultaneously, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri convened an emergency session with his party’s ministers and Knesset members. During the meeting, Deri announced that Shas would support a motion to dissolve the Knesset next week if Netanyahu fails to persuade Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman MK Yuli Edelstein to soften his demands regarding the draft legislation.
Speaking at the meeting, Deri emphasized that Shas is not seeking new elections but is facing a reality in which there is “no choice.” He made clear that Shas cannot remain part of a government that fails to secure protections for bnei hayeshivos and lomdei Torah.
Meanwhile, the Shas Council of Roshei Yeshiva, led by Rav Shmuel Betzalel, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, also convened to deliberate whether to back the move to disband the Knesset over the Edelstein draft bill impasse.
Former Minister Ariel Attias presented the proposed sanctions and legal demands made by MK Edelstein to the rabbanim during the session. The council expressed its support for dissolving the Knesset should no agreement be reached on a mutually acceptable version of the draft law.
Sources in Shas indicate that the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah is expected to formally meet in the coming days to ratify this stance, potentially bringing the coalition to the brink of collapse if a resolution is not found.
{Matzav.com Israel}