Deri Blames Netanyahu for Draft Crisis, Accuses Haredi Rival

Explosive leaked quotes from Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri have exposed deep fractures within Israel's coalition government, with the veteran political operative placing direct blame on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the escalating draft law crisis and launching a sharp attack on his Haredi coalition partner.

According to statements disclosed Tuesday evening on Channel 13, Deri told associates in closed-door conversations that Netanyahu personally triggered the recent political firestorm surrounding military conscription legislation. "The prime minister is responsible for the incident with Rabbi Lando and the harsh letter against the bloc," Deri stated, referring to tensions with the influential Lithuanian rabbinic leader. "He made a mistake with all the talk about not having a majority for the draft law."

The remarks signal a dramatic shift in tone from the Shas leader, who has historically maintained public loyalty to Netanyahu even during periods of internal coalition strain. The leaked comments suggest Deri believes the prime minister's public statements undermined delicate negotiations over the contentious conscription framework, which has become a flashpoint between religious and secular factions.

Accusations Against Coalition Partner

Deri reserved his sharpest criticism for Agudat Israel's influential figure Moti Babchik, whom he accused of actively working to establish a left-wing government after the upcoming elections. "He's doing everything to form a left-wing government," Deri declared, according to the leaked statements.

The Shas chairman went further, predicting that United Torah Judaism would be willing to join an anti-Netanyahu coalition if the political arithmetic permitted. "They'll enter a left-wing government if one is formed after the elections," Deri warned, drawing a stark contrast with his own party's position.

Deri emphasized that Shas would never cross that red line. "We will never enter a left-wing government. We already know what the left is and what they'll do here," he stated, positioning his movement as the more ideologically consistent partner within the religious bloc.

Coalition Under Pressure

The leaked statements arrive as Israel's political establishment accelerates toward early elections, with the Knesset Committee scheduled to convene Monday for a critical dissolution vote. Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz confirmed that the plenum vote on the first reading could occur the same day, following preliminary approval from 110 lawmakers last week.

Deri's comments come at the same time that there's intensifying pressure on Netanyahu's governing coalition, which has struggled to navigate the explosive draft law debate while maintaining unity among religious and right-wing factions. Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef recently issued a handwritten rebuke after young protesters booed Deri at a major Torah event in Jerusalem, highlighting internal tensions within the Sephardic religious community.

The dispute over election timing has added another layer of complexity, with Deri pushing for a September 15 ballot date that he believes would strategically benefit right-wing parties by forcing campaigning during the High Holy Days. However, the Central Election Committee has raised significant logistical concerns about that timeline.