Shas

As he pushes for ultra-Orthodox draft, Moti Leitner aims to put the Haredi Public on a new path

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Moti Leitner, head of the new Haredi Public Party, wants to encourage mandatory service and introduce core curriculum studies in ultra-Orthodox schools.

MOTI LEITNER, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh and founder of the Haredi Public Party, at the ‘Jerusalem Post’ studio this week. Leitner argues that ‘those who aren’t studying must take responsibility’ by serving in the IDF or doing national service, while preserving full-time Torah study for select few
Israel Police vehicles; illustrative.

Police complete HaDerech probe involving Shas MK Haim Biton

Chairman of the “Together” party and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks during a press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem, May 20, 2026.

Bennett losing ground as Eisenkot, Netanyahu neck-and-neck for upcoming elections - poll

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Knesset vote, July 16, 2026.

Netanyahu's Likud falls to lowest position since June 2025 as Eisenkot reaches new heights - poll


Rabbi hurls abuse at Zamir at Bnei Brak anti-draft protest: ‘May his name and memory be erased’

The rally, attended by hundreds of haredi men and led by former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, protested the drafting of yeshiva students to the army.

Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox party paralyzes Knesset votes to force through military draft exemptions

The most recent proposal advanced is a bill that would halt the arrests of haredi draft evaders, which is set to be debated on Tuesday in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

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.

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

According to their statement, Netanyahu "made it clear at the meeting that he is committed to approving the laws and will work to advance them quickly."

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Haredi parties continue to boycott coalition voting over Torah Study bill

Shas Party leader Arye Deri also attributed the boycott of coalition voting to the recent rise in police arrests of haredi draft evaders.

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

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

"Trump turned against us because of the decrees being imposed on Torah scholars and because they are being arrested,” Yosef said.

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

Ultra-Orthodox protesters block traffic, set fire on road near Jerusalem's Shabbat Square

On Thursday evening, light rail service was partially suspended between Jerusalem’s central bus station and Mount Herzl station due to haredi protests.

Israel Police responding to haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protest near Shabbat Square in Jerusaelm, June 19, 2026.

Torah study and Israeli military service are both sacred, but not the same - opinion

Public backlash over proposed legislation reflects a broader struggle over how Israel defines service, sacrifice and equality.

Haredim block a road and clash with police to protest the jailing of seminary students who fail to comply with IDF recruitment orders, June 1.

Likud, Netanyahu dropping in public eyes amid Iran war, contentious legislation - poll

This is Likud’s lowest figure since August 2025, when it received 21 seats in a Maariv poll. However, the coalition bloc maintained its strength from last week at 50 seats.

A LIKUD supporter waves the party’s flag at a gathering, a show of grassroots loyalty which has long defined the movement, even as critics say its primaries have reshaped, and at times distorted, who rises within its ranks.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

It proposes that the State of Israel "recognize those who commit themselves to long-term dedication to Torah study as performing significant service to the state and the Jewish people."

MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.