Shas calls reports it could back an Eisenkot government 'total fake news'

Shas, one of Israel's two main ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) parties, on Saturday evening rejected reports that it might join or accept a government headed by Gadi Eisenkot, whom The Times of Israel describes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief political rival. In a statement, the party called the reports "total fake news" and said that, as directed by its rabbinic leadership, it belongs to the right-wing bloc.

The denial followed television reports that night. According to The Times of Israel, a source from the Shas Council of Torah Sages told Channel 12 news that if the spiritual leader of United Torah Judaism (UTJ), the other Haredi party, approved an Eisenkot-led government, Shas would not oppose it. Channel 13 news quoted an unnamed UTJ official making a similar point, the paper reported. Ynet carried the Shas denial as a news alert, and Shas leader Aryeh Deri reposted the party's statement on X.

What the television reports said

The source quoted by Channel 12, as relayed by The Times of Israel, said Shas rabbis would never act against UTJ rabbis and warned that doing so would cause "a huge split in the Haredi street," meaning the ultra-Orthodox public. The UTJ official cited by Channel 13 said that if the rabbis signed off on the details of a deal under negotiation, Shas would have no option but to fall in line.

Ynet framed the story around assessments inside UTJ that, should that party align with Eisenkot, Shas's rabbis would also give their approval. Its headline asked whether the "Litvaks" were setting the tone. The term refers to the Lithuanian-tradition Haredi stream associated with part of UTJ. Ynet described Shas as denying that it intended to join what it called the change bloc, the camp opposed to Netanyahu.

What Shas said

The party's statement, published on the Telegram channel of commentator Amit Segal and in Deri's post, accused various journalists of spreading false reports that evening about Shas supposedly entering an Eisenkot government. It said the party is part of the right-wing bloc, describing that bloc as lovers of Torah and Jewish tradition, in keeping with instructions from the Council of Torah Sages. It added that only official Shas announcements are authoritative, not reports by journalists or people posting on social media.

Deri's post contains the party statement and nothing further. It is his and his party's account of their position, not a description of any negotiations.

Where the accounts diverge

The reports do not line up neatly. The Times of Israel pointed out that the TV channels had not said Shas would join an Eisenkot government; they had said it would not oppose one that included UTJ. The Shas statement denied joining, which is a narrower claim than the one broadcast. Ynet, by contrast, presented the story as a denial of joining the opposing bloc, alongside UTJ assessments that Shas could follow its partner. Readers should note that the claims about Shas's possible acquiescence come from unnamed sources, while the denial is on the record.

Who the players are

The Council of Torah Sages is the body of senior rabbis that sets Shas policy; the party presents its political decisions as following that council's guidance. UTJ is a separate Haredi party with its own rabbinic leadership. The two parties have usually sat together in Netanyahu's camp, which is why any sign that their rabbis might part ways, or move together toward a rival, draws attention.

The episode comes amid wider manoeuvring over who will form a government. The Times of Israel's live coverage the same day noted that Netanyahu was calling for a "national unity" government and that protesters had gathered in Tel Aviv urging a government with Arab parties.

What the reports do not say

No report names the Shas council source or the UTJ official, or says whether UTJ's spiritual leader has approved any deal. The details of the agreement said to be under negotiation have not been reported, and neither Eisenkot nor UTJ has publicly responded to the Shas statement in the material available.