Shas

The electoral threshold is distorting Israel's democracy - time to rethink it - opinion

Israel’s electoral threshold was designed to improve governability. Instead, it can distort election results and leave voters without representation.

 A man casts his vote in the Israeli general elections, at a polling station in Jerusalem, on November 1, 2022.
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. September 06, 2026.

Former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef denounces Ben-Gvir as election battle intensifies

TIME WILL tell if it was politically wise to hold an election just 20 days after commemorating a massacre that shook the Israeli public to its core, the writer posits.

October 7 haunts Netanyahu's election campaign, but his bloc holds its ground

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the ICT’s Shabtai Shavit International Conference on Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University.

Bennett vows to pass 'Deri Law' barring draft evaders from Israel's security cabinet in next gov't


Gaps narrow between coalition, opposition blocs as security is spotlighted in public agenda - poll

According to the poll, the coalition bloc gained two seats this week, rising to 51, while the Zionist opposition bloc fell by two seats to 53. 

Inside the Knesset building.

MK Busso criticizes haredi draft march, says Shas, Likud will continue collaboration after election

"These are the same people who also march against the haredi parties. Against me and against each and every one of us."

MK Uriel Buso attends a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on December 14, 2025.

Haredi parties plan to remain outside government coalition until draft law is resolved

Once the issue that has shaken the haredi political establishment is resolved, the haredi parties could then consider joining the sitting government.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, government ministers and members of Knesset attend a plenum session and a vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026.

High Court dismisses Shas petition after Ovadia Yosef memorial conference canceled

The three-day event had been planned for October 6-8 at Jerusalem’s International Convention Center.

 Shas faction meeting in the Israeli parliament on December 8, 2025.

Israel Election 2026: What do Arye Deri's Shas and Yaakov Asher's United Torah Judaism stand for?

"If I put this ballot in the box, what government, policies, and political reality am I helping create?"

Shas leader MK Arye Deri (L) and United Torah Judaism leader MK Ya’akov Asher.

Israeli polls split on 2026 Knesset election possibilities, as Yashar, Likud vie for primacy - poll

The bloc averages also show no clear outcome: Netanyahu’s bloc, including Winter, stands at 53.6 seats, compared with 53.4 for the Zionist opposition bloc.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett.

Parties finalize Knesset slates before deadline as Gantz’s Blue and White runs alone despite polls

The deadline also means the end to speculation over possible mergers between parties that were polling below the electoral threshold.

Former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz leads Blue and White, which is polling below the electoral threshold.

Shas leader Arye Deri claims IDF prefers secular army, haredi soldiers are 'a big headache'

Naftali Bennett responded to Deri's comments, saying the Shas chairman is "harming IDF soldiers," adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "spreading blood libels about IDF commanders."

Shas chairman Arye Deri attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

Shas rabbi ordered haredi IDF commander to resign from military - report

A rabbi reportedly told the commander to “leave the IDF because it is at war with the people of the Torah,” and warned that his family’s social standing may be harmed due to his position in the army.

Israel Police officers spray water jets at haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters blocking the road outside Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg's residence in Jerusalem, June 10, 2026; illustrative.

MQG demands gov't open criminal probe into Shas spiritual leader after attack on attorney-general

According to videos shared on social media, Yosef said that Miara was "crazy," and threatened that "God will curse her."

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.