Shas election video sparks 'illegal propaganda' complaint from Eisenkot's party

The ultra-Orthodox Shas Party has ignited controversy with its first election campaign video, drawing sharp criticism from the Yashar Party, led by Gadi Eisenkot. Yashar alleges the video, which depicts a family with one son serving in the IDF and another studying in a yeshiva, violates election propaganda legislation by creating the impression of IDF endorsement.

“

This is the story of the Shas family: faith, tradition, unity, and love of Israel – Torah scholars and IDF soldiers, we are all one family.

Eisenkot's party has demanded the video's removal, citing Shas's history of pushing for legislation that critics argue hinders haredi conscription, exacerbating the IDF's severe manpower shortage. Yashar's attorney sent a warning letter, asserting that the video's claim of over 30,000 soldiers voting for Shas is particularly egregious given the party's policies during the ongoing war.

“

creating the impression that the IDF identifies with the Shas Party.

Shas, a key coalition partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, defended its video, calling it a refutation of "false propaganda." The party stated the video showcases "the story of the Shas family: faith, tradition, unity, and love of Israel – Torah scholars and IDF soldiers, we are all one family." The video concludes by noting that "more than 30,000 soldiers and career-service personnel voted for the Shas Party in the last election."

“

The party [Shas] has worked to promote a draft-evasion law and to give absolute preference to those who chose not to serve, while those who do serve bear the burden of the war.