Deri to Bennett: "Unlike your friends in Ra'am – I did serve in the army"

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri attacked Naftali Bennett this evening following Bennett's proposal to ban draft dodgers from sitting in the cabinet. Deri wrote on Facebook that Shas represents voters from all sectors, including IDF soldiers and reservists, and that unlike Bennett's colleagues in Ra'am, he himself served in the military. Deri proposed a "Bennett Law" to prevent a "political con artist" from running for prime minister.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri attacked Naftali Bennett this evening (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) following Bennett's proposal to advance a law banning "draft dodgers" from sitting in the cabinet. In a Facebook post, Deri wrote that Shas represents voters from all sectors, including IDF soldiers and reservists who fought and even fell in Israel's wars. Deri added that unlike Bennett's friends in Ra'am, he himself served in the army. According to him, Bennett is "the last person who can talk about encouraging draft dodging." Deri proposed a "Bennett Law" – a political con artist who steals the prime minister's office with 6 seats, against the will of his voters, would not be allowed to run for prime minister. The exchange comes against the backdrop of the upcoming elections, as the left-wing bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot moves to attack the right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.