Shas chairman Aryeh Deri sharply criticized members of the coalition who opposed or failed to support the Basic Law: Torah Study, declaring that some Arab lawmakers have a greater appreciation for the value of Torah than certain members of Likud.

Speaking in an interview with the Shas newspaper HaDerech, Deri addressed the dramatic Knesset vote that saw the legislation pass its preliminary reading despite opposition from several coalition lawmakers.

“Arab MKs have a greater understanding of the value of Torah than some Likud MKs,” Deri said.

On Wednesday, the Knesset approved the Basic Law: Torah Study in a preliminary vote. The legislation seeks to formally recognize Torah study as a foundational value of the Jewish people and as a significant form of national service.

The bill passed by a vote of 56 to 43.

Four coalition members broke ranks and voted against the measure: MK Yuli Edelstein and MK Dan Illouz of Likud, MK Sharren Haskel of National Right, and MK Moshe Solomon of Religious Zionism.

The legislation’s passage was aided by the absence of Arab opposition lawmakers, following reports of understandings reached between representatives of the chareidi parties and Arab factions.

The vote triggered heated scenes in the Knesset plenum. Shas MKs Yosef Taieb and Moshe Abutbul shouted at MK Dan Illouz after his vote against the legislation.

“Shame on you,” the two lawmakers reportedly yelled. “What a disgrace. The Torah world is ashamed of you.”

The debate also featured a sharp exchange between Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. After Gafni referenced Jewish history and the importance of Torah study, Lapid responded by arguing that military service remains essential to Israel’s security and accused supporters of the bill of promoting draft avoidance.

Meanwhile, political attention is also turning toward the possibility of early elections.

According to a report by Channel 13, Deri is reportedly pushing for elections to be held on October 13, one day before the yahrtzeit of Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef zt”l.

The proposed date has reportedly received support from additional coalition parties, although some within Likud are concerned about its proximity to the anniversary of the October 7 massacre.

Sources familiar with coalition discussions say Deri is attempting to balance competing pressures within the chareidi political world while maintaining coordination with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other coalition leaders.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)