Shas

Marathon Knesset meetings set to rapidly advance haredi parties’ contentious Torah study bill

The bill seeks to enshrine Torah study in the country’s Basic Law as part of a proposal that critics argue encourages draft evasion and changes the status of yeshiva students who do not serve.

MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.
Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Haredi leaders say they will support Knesset dissolution if no progress made on draft bills

Degel Hatorah leader MK Moshe Gafni in Knesset House Committee meeting, Monday June 22, 2026.

Haredi parties continue to boycott coalition voting over Torah Study bill

Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, during a weekly teaching at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, on June 7, 2025.

Shas spiritual leader: Iran deal is punishment for draft dodger arrests, A-G is 'wicked woman'


Netanyahu is in a tight spot after UTJ exits the gov't - what happens next? - explainer

The move by the six United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party members leaves Netanyahu's nationalist-religious government extremely vulnerable, with just a one-seat majority in the Knesset.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to his office at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem on July 14, 2025.

United Torah Judaism announces decision to quit gov't, coalition

The Sephardi haredi party Shas remained mum on Monday about whether or not it would join UTJ.

MK Moshe Gafni speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

Arye Deri denies telling Shas MKs to prepare to leave gov't coalition in coming days

Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported the claim earlier on Sunday evening, but it was later denied by a spokesperson from Deri's office.

 Shas party leader MK Arye Deri after a meeting on the haredi draft bill in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025.

How a tax opposed by Shas sparked climate backlash in the ultra-Orthodox community

A newly published Hebrew University of Jerusalem study found that the well-meaning environmental tax turned into a cultural flashpoint.

 DISPOSABLE PLASTIC tableware are on display at the Osher Ad Supermarket branch in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem.

Families of Oct. 7 victims blast Arye Deri for saying Hamas massacre ‘saved Israel’

The October Council, an NGO that represents over 1,500 families of victims called Deri’s comments a “slap in the face.”

Shas chairman Arye Deri.

Ron Dermer is 'God’s messenger,' Shas chairman Arye Deri claims after joint Iran strikes

Speaking to Channel 14’s Yinon Magal, Deri noted that if the government had been dissolved the night before Israel struck Iran, President Trump might not have agreed to join.

Shas faction leader MK Arye Deri seen outside the party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Haredi draft dilemma: Religious exemption from IDF will bring down the government

With a majority of Israelis calling for public change, haredi exemption from the IDF is no longer just a legal debate, but a question of Israel’s survival.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, on road 4 near Bnei Brak, June 5, 2025.

Much ado about nothing: Coalition remains standing as core issues remain unsolved - analysis

The week culminated with an agreement between Shas, Degel Hatorah, Knesset legal advisers, and committees, and an ensuing failed attempt by the opposition to disperse the Knesset.

 A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish man holds a placard next to a police horse as he takes part in a protest against pressure to conscript into the military in Bnei Brak, Israel, June 5, 2025. The words in Hebrew read "We will not enlist in the enemy army."

Shas still trying to reach coalition agreement, rabbis' council head says

This comes after Rabbi Maya signed a letter on Monday opposing the conscription of any haredi individual, even those not studying in a yeshiva.

 Rabbi Moshe Maya speaks during a rally which marks one year since the death of Rabbi Shimon Hirari in Tel Aviv on February 28, 2016.

Israel Police arrest suspect in arson attack on Jerusalem synagogue

Shas spiritual leader and former chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's home synagogue was set ablaze early Sunday morning.

 Head of Shas party Aryeh Deri and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef visit at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 8, 2025.