The Shas party launched a sharp attack on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett after he criticized party chairman Aryeh Deri during a recent media interview. Bennett discussed the possibility of forming a joint government with Democrats party chairman Yair Golan and signaled openness to broad political partnerships.

In the interview, Bennett said he would be willing to serve in a government with anyone who serves in the Israel Defense Forces, adding that Deri and United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, whom he accused of working against the military, were not politically close to him.

Shas responded by calling Bennett's appearance a 'panicked performance' and claimed he relied on advisers to deliver anti ultra Orthodox messaging. The party accused him of promoting division and incitement during a time of war, saying his remarks deepen rifts within Israeli society.