Shas MK Yinon Azoulay launched a fierce attack in the Knesset plenum against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Knesset members from the coalition who opposed the conscription law following Baharav-Miara’s decision that it is “illegal” for Lomdei Torah who did not enlist to participate in discounted apartment lotteries.

“Today, the terrorists’ families are very thankful to the Attorney General and Knesset members Yuli Edelstein, Dan Illouz, Ofir Sofer and Sharren Haskel,” Azoulay said. “Why? Because today, the Dira B’Hanacha lottery opened, and thanks to the dismissed Attorney General, Lomdei Torah aren’t eligible and the families of terrorists sitting in jail now have a greater chance to win.”

“Those Knesset members who call themselves ‘right-wing’, joined forces with the dismissed Attorney General, and with their own hands are increasing the chances of terrorists winning a an ‘Apartment at a Discount’ by excluding Lomdei Torah students from participating in the lotteries.”

Azoulay is referring to the fact that Arab-Israelis (who don’t serve in the IDF) are eligible to participate in the lottery, including families of convicted terrorists serving prison sentences.

“Unbelievable! In the Jewish state, instead of strengthening those who dedicate their lives to Limmud Torah and the Jewish identity of the state, they strengthen terrorists,” he stressed.

“It won’t help you,” Azoulay declared. “We won’t surrender. ‘The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out.’ Lomdei Torah will continue to sit and learn.”

His remarks come after a unprecedented decision by the Israel Land Authority Council, which determined – at the demand of Baharav-Miara – that regulating military status with the IDF will become a threshold condition for participation in “discounted apartment” lotteries.

The 11th lottery of the “Dira B’Hanacha” program opened on Monday, and for the first time, thanks to Baharav-Miara, Chareidi couples were not eligible to participate.

The step is a particularly severe economic blow to thousands of young Chareidi couples, with the Dira B’Hanacha program the main and almost only way to purchase an apartment in Israel at a lower price.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)