Shea Levin — text status

Degel HaTorah chairman MK Yaakov Asher sharply criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett Tuesday over their statements about the Chareidi community, accusing them of spreading hostility toward Torah-observant Jews. Speaking at an election conference, Asher said such rhetoric was deepening divisions within Israeli society. Asher accused Smotrich of crossing a red line with his attacks on Chareidim and criticized Bennett's approach toward Torah learning. He argued that political disagreements over military service should not become an excuse to attack an entire religious community.