Aryeh Deri with Education Minister Shai Piron
Aryeh Deri with Education Minister Shai PironFlash 90

The Shas Council of Torah Sages will convene on Wednesday night for its first meeting since the passing of spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The council will discuss, among other things, the bitterly contested recent agreement between the Shas school network and the Ministry of Education.

Arutz Sheva was informed that sharp criticism is being leveled from within Shas against the agreement, given that it allows the Ministry considerable involvement in deciding what is taught at the Shas schools.

Perhaps in an attempt by party chairman Aryeh Deri to head off internal tension, all Shas MKs were asked to take part in the council meeting, in a message that read "Rabbi Aryeh requests that everyone come."

The council is also anticipated to discuss the tense topic of a law requiring hareidi enlistment in the IDF. The law is currently being drafted by the Shaked Committee, headed by MK Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home).

There have been riots in the Meah Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem over enlistment, which potentially could spread into a larger campaign.