Tensions within Israel’s Chareidi political camp escalated dramatically over the weekend as Shas chairman Aryeh Deri launched a blistering attack against Motti Babtchik, accusing him of working against the Torah world. Babtchik fired back with an equally sharp response, insisting that his efforts to bring down the government were carried out under the direction of the leadership of United Torah Judaism and its rabbinic authorities.
The extraordinary public exchange comes as friction between Shas and United Torah Judaism continues to intensify ahead of the upcoming elections, exposing growing divisions within the chareidi political bloc following the collapse of the coalition over the failure to pass a draft exemption law for yeshiva students.
According to comments revealed in the weekly Mishpacha magazine column, Deri harshly criticized Babtchik, saying, “He is worse than the opposition. He is working against the Torah world. It is forbidden to cooperate with him or even speak to him.”
Babtchik responded by rejecting Deri’s accusations outright and defending his role in the political crisis that ultimately led to the government’s downfall.
“I am sorry about Deri’s remarks,” Babtchik said. “As is well known, all of my efforts to bring down the government were carried out on behalf of the chairman of United Torah Judaism and under the instructions of our rabbinic leaders, after Netanyahu failed to fulfill his commitment to pass a draft law.”
He then turned his criticism directly toward the Shas leader, accusing Deri of refusing to leave the coalition despite the guidance of his own rabbinic leadership.
“Deri insisted on clinging to his seat, contrary to the view of his rabbanim, the members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah,” Babtchik said. “The anger among the Sephardic public toward him is justified, and it is unfortunate that instead of correcting his own ways, he is looking for others to blame.”
Responding to Deri’s assertion that he was “worse than the left,” Babtchik argued that the accusation reflected how disconnected Deri has become from political reality.
“Deri’s statement mainly reflects how out of touch he is,” Babtchik said. “While I initiated and built the right-wing bloc that stood alongside Netanyahu through four election campaigns, he will forever be remembered for signing the Oslo Accords.”
The unusually personal exchange marks one of the sharpest public confrontations between senior figures associated with Shas and United Torah Judaism in recent years and underscores the deepening political divisions within Israel’s chareidi parties as they prepare for another national election.
