Shas invokes IDF soldiers in election campaign ad, drawing Gadi Eisenkot's ire

Shas Party released a controversial election campaign video featuring IDF soldiers, sparking backlash from the Yashar Party led by Gadi Eisenkot. The video, aired on Saturday evening, depicted a family celebrating a soldier’s return from military service, emphasizing unity between Torah scholars and IDF personnel. Eisenkot, a prominent figure in the opposition bloc aiming to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the ad, accusing Shas of violating election laws by using IDF soldiers in campaign material. The video, which portrays a typical Israeli family during Shabbat, highlights the contrast between a son studying at a yeshiva and another serving in the military. Shas described the scene as emblematic of its values, faith, tradition, and national unity. The ad concluded with a claim that more than 30,000 soldiers and career-service personnel had voted for the Shas Party in the previous election, a statement the party defended as factual. On Sunday, the Yashar Party issued a formal demand for the video’s removal, asserting that it constituted illegal election propaganda. According to the party’s warning letter, the video created the misleading impression that the IDF endorsed Shas. Eisenkot’s team argued that the ad exploited the sacrifices of soldiers while simultaneously promoting policies they claimed undermined the IDF’s efforts. The Yashar Party cited Shas’s historical position on haredi conscription, noting that the party had supported legislation that critics say failed to address the IDF’s manpower crisis. The Yashar Party’s letter, delivered via legal counsel to Shas leader Aryeh Deri, warned that the demand was a prelude to potential legal action. The letter pointed out that the video explicitly referenced the number of soldiers who had voted for Shas, despite the party’s past advocacy for draft-evasion measures. Yashar emphasized that this contradiction was especially glaring given the ongoing conflict and the heavy reliance on soldiers for national defense. Shas responded by defending the video as a countermeasure against what it called false propaganda from Eisenkot and his allies. The party accused Yashar of misrepresenting its stance, arguing that the ad was meant to refute claims that Shas supported draft evasion. Shas reiterated its commitment to the values of the nation, framing the video as a celebration of diverse contributions to Israeli society. The dispute reflects broader tensions within Israeli politics surrounding the issue of haredi conscription. Shas, a key ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu, has long advocated for policies that prioritize Torah study over mandatory military service. Critics argue that these positions exacerbate the IDF’s recruitment challenges, particularly in light of the ongoing war. Over the past three years, haredi parties have faced mounting pressure to adjust their stances, yet they have largely resisted calls for increased enlistment. Recent legislative developments underscore these divisions. Last month, two bills sponsored by haredi parties, aimed at elevating Torah study as a constitutional value and temporarily halting arrests of draft evaders, passed in the Knesset. These measures sparked widespread controversy, with some families affected by the draft-evader policy expressing outrage. Legal experts warned that the bills could undermine public trust in the military and complicate efforts to stabilize troop numbers. As the October 27 elections approach, the debate over haredi conscription continues to shape political discourse. With Shas facing scrutiny over its use of IDF imagery in campaign materials, the controversy highlights the complex interplay between religious values, national security, and electoral strategy. The outcome of this dispute may influence not only the upcoming vote but also the future direction of Israeli policy on military service.