"We never fought against IDF enlistment": Senior Shas member responds to criticism

MK Uriel Buso (Shas) clarifies in an interview that the party never opposed IDF enlistment, but works to regulate the status of Torah scholars. Those who do not study, he says, do not receive backing and "they should take them." Buso attributes the boos against party chairman Aryeh Deri to left-wing elements paying extremist groups.

MK Uriel Buso (Shas) was interviewed on 103FM amid the uproar over the enlistment law and declining polls. Buso clarifies: "We never fought against IDF enlistment. The only thing we fight for is regulating the status of Torah scholars. Whoever does not study is not under our authority, he does not receive backing from us. There is military police, they should take him." Buso defends party chairman Aryeh Deri, claiming that the boos directed at him at conferences stem from "left-wing elements paying a lot of money to extremist groups." The interview reflects Shas's position amid a political crisis over Haredi enlistment, attempting to separate support for Torah scholars from opposition to general enlistment.