Deri demands haredi draft law as condition for next government

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri declared on Wednesday that his party would not join or support Israel's next government unless legislation regulating the military service status of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) yeshiva students is passed, drawing criticism from opposition leaders as the October 27 Knesset election approaches.

Deri made the remarks in an interview with the haredi news outlet Kikar HaShabbat, making the passage of a draft law a condition for Shas's participation in any future coalition, regardless of who forms the government.

"There will be no government in Israel with Shas's support or participation unless the status of yeshiva students is regulated," Deri said.

The declaration places the contentious issue of haredi military enlistment at the center of coalition negotiations even before Israelis head to the polls, with parties sharply divided over whether yeshiva students should continue receiving exemptions from IDF service.