'He's lost it': Shas leader Deri slams IDF chief Zamir over 'trying to help left-wing bloc'

Shas Party leader Arye Deri accused IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir of attempting to “help the left-wing bloc” and “causing damage to the military” after Zamir warned against legislation freezing arrests of haredi draft evaders. Deri stated, “He has lost it. What the chief of staff did during an election campaign was an attempt to help the left-wing bloc, without a doubt.” The Knesset passed the bill, which the High Court of Justice subsequently froze. Zamir had warned that the law would create national security problems and decrease recruitment by delegitimizing the IDF as the “nation's army.” Deri's remarks drew strong condemnation from opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Lapid, who criticized Deri for politicizing military service and undermining national security amid an IDF manpower shortage.