Story perspectives

Shas Leader Demands Haredi Support or Faces Election Showdown

12/9/2025

Summary

Story summary

Shas leader Aryeh Deri said his party will oppose 2026 budget because the Finance Ministry did not fund a NIS 277 million food-stamp program for low-income Haredi children.
Deri criticized excluding Haredi children from support, calling it unacceptable next to Arab aid.
Shas and Degel HaTorah have demanded formalized military exemptions for Haredi yeshiva students.
If the budget remains unresolved after March, the Knesset will dissolve and trigger early elections.

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Story summary

Shas leader Aryeh Deri said his party will oppose 2026 budget because the Finance Ministry did not fund a NIS 277 million food-stamp program for low-income Haredi children.
Deri criticized excluding Haredi children from support, calling it unacceptable next to Arab aid.
Shas and Degel HaTorah have demanded formalized military exemptions for Haredi yeshiva students.
If the budget remains unresolved after March, the Knesset will dissolve and trigger early elections.