Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has called on United Torah Judaism to establish a joint command center to coordinate the chareidi parties’ response to the ongoing draft crisis and the growing pressure facing bnei yeshiva.

In a message directed to UTJ leaders, Deri urged the parties to work together in a unified effort to defend the interests of the olam haTorah.

“Let us join hands, establish a joint command center, and together handle all the operational steps and management of the struggle in order to achieve real results for the Torah world,” Deri said.

According to the proposal, the two parties would launch a broad public-relations and advocacy campaign aimed at strengthening support for bnei yeshiva and improving public understanding of the Torah world’s position. The initiative would seek to ensure that every ben yeshiva can continue to walk proudly and confidently despite the current atmosphere.

Deri expressed confidence that the present tensions are temporary and would eventually pass.

“What is happening in the streets right now is only a temporary period of hester panim, and very soon matters will return to their proper place,” he said.

In an official communication sent by Shas to United Torah Judaism, the party described the current situation as an unprecedented challenge facing lomdei Torah throughout the country.

“Due to the grave situation facing Torah learners in our country and their daily persecution by the dismissed Attorney General through increasingly harsh sanctions and the arrest of cherished yeshiva students who are engaged in Torah study, the Shas faction held a lengthy and in-depth meeting on the matter today and, in light of the complexity of the situation, decided to call upon your faction to establish a joint command center for the struggle and for operational solutions to the situation. Our strength lies in our unity.”

The proposal comes amid escalating tensions over the arrest of bnei yeshiva classified as draft evaders and growing calls within the chareidi community for a coordinated political and public response.

UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf responded to Deri’s proposal with a pointed statement, welcoming the initiative while criticizing what he described as years of delay by Shas.

“We welcome Aryeh Deri’s blessed awakening, which comes three years late. It is good that Shas has finally reached the painful conclusion that United Torah Judaism has been warning about for a long time: Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu must understand that commitments must be honored, and that he cannot continue with delays and repeated excuses while the Torah world is forced to pay the price.”

{Matzav.com}