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United Torah Judaism Rebukes Shas Leader Deri Over Criticism

United Torah Judaism issued a sharp statement responding to Shas leader Aryeh Deri's criticism that he was disqualified from ministerial service while UTJ leaders Rabbi Gafni and Rabbi Goldknopf remained in their positions. The party said Deri knows they worked on behalf of Torah institutions and yeshiva students throughout their tenure. UTJ condemned Deri's threatening tone, saying his words "they had better not start with me" do not befit a Torah scholar. The statement also countered Deri's claim about working on the hostage issue, asserting both Gafni and Goldknopf met repeatedly with hostage families, while families say Deri refused to meet them even after a personal appeal to his wife.