Shas spiritual guide: Iran agreement punishes draft dodger detentions, attorney general labeled wicked

Former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, spiritual head of the haredi Shas party, stated that the developing US Iran agreement represents divine payback for intensified enforcement against haredi draft evaders. He asserted that these measures prompted US President Donald Trump to turn against Israel.

Yosef also criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara for directing the crackdown on haredi draft evaders and branded her a wicked woman during remarks delivered Saturday evening in Rishon Lezion.

The emerging agreement under Trump has drawn broad criticism from Israeli ministers and lawmakers across coalition and opposition lines.

Trump turned against us because of the decrees imposed on Torah scholars and because they are being arrested, Yosef said.

Addressing Baharav Miara he added: This woman Jezebel this wicked woman is issuing these orders.

They have no sense. Instead of bolstering Torah scholars stop arresting them he stated in his address.

The comments arrive amid rising tensions on haredi conscription as the IDF faces a serious personnel shortage.

The High Court ordered in April that the state implement steps to remove financial benefits from draft evaders and pursue criminal measures against haredi men avoiding service.

Marked rise in draft evader detentions and demonstrations

Police have stepped up arrests of draft evaders in recent weeks sparking repeated haredi demonstrations that have blocked major travel routes across the country.

These detentions prompted haredi MKs to urge an end to cooperation with police forces.

Haredi parties continue advancing legislation to embed Torah study within the Basic Law. Opponents argue the measure promotes draft avoidance and preserves benefits for yeshiva students who skip service.

The bill cleared its initial reading in June with government support.

A separate bill on state day care subsidies passed its first reading in May. Backed by haredi factions it would tie eligibility only to maternal income a change critics say would extend subsidies to families of draft evaders.

Haredi parties have warned they may suspend coalition votes until the bills advance delaying other Knesset measures last week.

Haredi MKs meet detained draft evaders in custody

Shas and United Torah Judaism leaders have visited arrested haredi draft evaders in military prison offering support and demanding their release.

Shas chief Aryeh Deri promised during an earlier prison visit that legislation enshrining Torah study as Basic Law would pass soon.

Party MKs Michael Malkieli and Haim Biton joined Deri at Neve Tzedek Military Prison.

Shas reported that Deri spoke with many detainees and distributed books to them.

The party added that Deri encouraged the detainees and stressed that the entire Shas movement backs them works for their quick release and seeks to regularize their status.

Deri also faulted Baharav Miara outside the facility claiming she was blocking legislation to aid draft evaders.

Haredi leaders continue pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coalition to pass measures that avoid raising haredi enlistment rates. The IDF has highlighted an acute manpower shortfall after more than two years of conflict.

In March IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned the military could soon face collapse without a manpower solution.