Shas leader Eli Yishai said Defense Minister Ehud Barak's decision not to exempt 1,000 yeshiva students from IDF service is an attempt to create a rift in the coalition.

"This initiative is against the law, there is no reason to change an arrangement that has been there for dozens of years," said Yishai, adding he intends to talk to Barak in order to find a solution to the problem.

Meanwhile Barak has decided to cancel his visit to the US that was scheduled for next week, due to the escalating security situation in southern Israel. He planned to meet with Vice President Dick Cheney and US secretary of Defense Robert Gates.