Shas MK Michael Malkieli launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, accused law enforcement authorities of targeting yeshiva students, and defended his party’s decision to bring down the coalition in a wide-ranging interview with Kikar HaShabbat amid the escalating political battle over the draft law and the status of Torah learners.

Speaking candidly about the collapse of the government, Malkieli said the coalition lost its right to exist once it became clear there was no parliamentary majority to pass legislation protecting the status of Torah students.

“From the moment the prime minister reached the conclusion that there was no majority for this law, the coalition and government lost their right to exist. That is why we left and are dissolving the Knesset,” Malkieli declared.

He said the demand for a Basic Law on Torah Study has been a central objective of the chareidi parties since the start of the government’s term.

“From the beginning of the term, everyone understood that the most important issue for the chareidi parties was legislation regulating the status of Torah learners. There were disagreements over the method, but the decision was to advance a government-sponsored bill.

“We sat through hundreds of discussions and thousands of hours of deliberations in an effort to complete the legislation. But once the prime minister concluded there was no majority, the coalition no longer had a reason to continue.”

According to Malkieli, the proposed Basic Law would not only formalize the status of yeshiva students but also provide legal protection against future efforts to prosecute or arrest those engaged in full-time Torah study.

“The Basic Law on Torah Study is not only about regulating the status of Torah learners. In the end, when you come to arrest and persecute someone who studies Torah, under what authority are you doing so? He is fulfilling a Basic Law. Since the draft law did not pass, the Basic Law on Torah Study must move forward. We want to pass it in its second and third readings.”

Malkieli reserved some of his harshest criticism for Netanyahu, accusing him of remaining silent while yeshiva students face arrest.

“We stood by Netanyahu throughout this entire period. No one preserved the right-wing bloc more than Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and he paid a heavy personal price when the court ruled that he could not serve as a minister. That was a political decision.

“Beyond that, there were major offers from other quarters. Deri protected the right-wing bloc. The offers were endless. They presented us with a blank sheet and said, ‘Come sign.’

“Benjamin Netanyahu knows how to stand in front of every camera, but now he is keeping silent about the arrests of Torah learners in the Jewish state. This is persecution by the judicial system against the Jewish people and those who study Torah. I expect Netanyahu not to sit on the sidelines.”

He also criticized senior Likud officials for what he described as a lack of support for the chareidi community.

“The prime minister and the senior figures in Likud—and I’m not talking about those within Likud, such as Dan Illouz, who openly oppose us—is this a partnership? Is this a values-based bloc? I expect the prime minister to stand before the cameras and say: ‘We support Torah learners. Torah protects us and has always protected us.’ That is what is required.”

Asked about potential coalition partners after the next election, Malkieli made clear that Shas would not join any government that fails to prioritize Torah values.

“There will be no coalition without preserving the values of Judaism and protecting Torah learners.”

Turning to the ongoing arrests of yeshiva students, Malkieli suggested the campaign is politically motivated and designed to weaken public confidence in the chareidi parties.

“There is concern that they will continue making arrests in order to embarrass the chareidi representatives. Clearly there is political thinking behind this. The goal is to create distance between the chareidi public and its representatives, to spread fear and hostility, and to make a yeshiva student afraid to leave his home. There is a clear objective here.”

Malkieli also leveled criticism at Police Commissioner Daniel Levy and senior police officials, arguing that police resources are being directed toward the wrong priorities.

“A commissioner who sends district commanders to pursue Torah learners and create fear on chareidi streets expects cooperation? I call on the commissioner to pound the table and say that the police should be dealing with crime and murder in the streets.

“He should hold a press conference and announce that police manpower is focused on fighting crime. District commanders should say, ‘We are failing in our mission if this is what we are spending our time on. We are putting down the keys.’”

Addressing another major issue on the chareidi agenda, Malkieli defended the coalition’s efforts to advance kashrus reform legislation, explaining that years of negotiations and legal hurdles delayed progress.

“For three years we held dozens of meetings in my office, with Director-General Yehuda Avidan, with the Rishon LeTzion, with legal advisers. There were endless difficulties. We wanted a bill that would be accepted by all government ministries. Two weeks ago we finally reached an agreed-upon text. We are bringing forward legislation that has the approval of the Justice Ministry.”

Malkieli also discussed his decision earlier in the day to withdraw his candidacy for the committee that appoints rabbinical judges in favor of Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf.

“Credit goes to the Shas chairman, who understands the value of unity and the greatness of peace. He understands the challenges we face regarding the Basic Law on Torah Study, kashrus, and daycare funding. This is not the time for fighting. Unfortunately, there are those who choose conflict. The Shas chairman said that if withdrawing would promote peace, then for the sake of unity we should step aside.”

Commenting on tensions between Shas and factions within United Torah Judaism, Malkieli urged greater cooperation and restraint.

“You will not find a single briefing initiated by Shas. We do not engage in briefings. I call on United Torah Judaism: the Torah world is under threat, and this is a time for unity and working together.”

Malkieli also took aim at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, warning voters against trusting the politician if he returns to national leadership.

“I say: understand who is standing before us. To anyone considering voting for Bennett, if you think he can become prime minister and then deliver everything that is demanded of him, you do not understand who you are dealing with.

“Do not believe a word he says. He is hollow. Even people within his own camp understand that. They know this is a person who will sell everything.”

Responding to criticism from members of Degel HaTorah regarding the appointment of dozens of municipal rabbis, Malkieli defended the selections and questioned why fellow chareidi politicians were fueling controversy.

“People from within the chareidi parties are criticizing us? For what? Take twenty rabbis—who among them is unqualified? Show me one rabbi who is not worthy.

“What exactly is the criticism? Why give ammunition to the opposition? Why join forces with those who oppose religion while yeshiva students are being arrested? Criticize what? The appointment of rabbis?”

{Matzav.com}