Sephardic Educators to Shas: Don't Support Karhi Reform

The Core Concern: Unprecedented Access to Inappropriate Content

The educators detailed their specific concerns about the reform, which would establish a government-funded application providing free access to all Israeli commercial television channels. According to the educators, this represents a dramatic shift from the current situation, where yeshiva students seeking to watch television must navigate multiple applications with varying levels of accessibility.

"Until now, a student who wanted to watch television needed to download applications that made viewing inconvenient compared to what this reform will enable," the educators explained. "This reform will allow any young student with a smartphone to access all Israeli commercial television channels through a single government application."

The concern extends beyond mere convenience. The educators emphasized that the reform would particularly impact students from the periphery, predominantly Sephardic youth who form the core constituency of Shas. "This reform is designed to harm primarily students from the periphery, who are overwhelmingly our students, Sephardic in their vast majority," they noted.

Growing Opposition from Haredi Leadership

The Sephardic educators' concerns align with mounting opposition from other Haredi political factions. United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzhak Goldknopf recently transmitted a sharply worded letter to Minister Karhi, accusing him of attempting to rush the legislation through the Knesset while violating agreements reached with Haredi parties.

In his correspondence, Goldknopf clarified that establishing a government-funded application to provide free access to broadcasts represents an unprecedented breach of the status quo. He argued that rather than reducing Shabbat desecration, the state would become an active initiator of making prohibited Shabbat content accessible within private homes.

MK Avi Maoz has similarly voiced sharp criticism of the reform, particularly regarding the removal of Section 70 from the Communications Law, a provision addressing restrictions on inappropriate content. "We are digging a pit for ourselves," Maoz cautioned during a Knesset committee session, warning that eliminating safeguards against harmful material would have far-reaching consequences.

The Shas Dilemma

While Degel HaTorah has positioned itself firmly against the reform, Shas has yet to articulate a definitive stance. The Sephardic educators expressed hope that the party would align with the opposition rather than supporting the measure through coalition discipline.

"We all hope that Shas will not support the reform, and it is unfortunate that they are not conducting themselves like Degel HaTorah and Agudath Israel, who have already announced they will not support this reform," the educators stated.

The educators also highlighted an additional concern: the reform would provide free access to soccer matches, potentially increasing Shabbat desecration among peripheral communities where such content might prove particularly appealing.

MK Moshe Gafni reinforced the opposition during a recent faction meeting, stating that he believes Goldknopf is correct in his resistance to the reform. "There are severe problems with this reform, and we will not support it," Gafni declared.

Public Campaign Intensifies

The controversy has spilled into the public sphere, with activists posting notices throughout Haredi neighborhoods on the eve of Shabbat targeting Minister Karhi. The posters bore provocative headlines: "Rabbi Mazuz would be ashamed of you" and "Leaders of Shas, do not lend a hand to the destruction of Shabbat under the auspices of a religious minister."

The educators concluded their appeal with a stark warning about the potential consequences. "This represents an enormous danger to our students," they emphasized. "This will cause severe spiritual harm to an entire generation of yeshiva students. We call upon Shas representatives to understand the danger and act accordingly."

As the reform advances through legislative procedures, the question remains whether Shas will heed the warnings of its educational leadership or maintain coalition solidarity — a decision that could have profound implications for thousands of Sephardic yeshiva students across Israel.