Rival MKs Clash: "You Are Disgracing the Torah!"
Ahead of the 2026 elections, the "Election Arena" segment hosted a heated debate between MK Michael Malkieli (Shas) and MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu). The discussion covered IDF conscription, the cost of living, and security failures.
The 2026 elections are approaching rapidly, and ahead of the festive day, ynet continues with the new weekly segment — The Election Arena. Every week, we will host two politicians from both sides of the aisle, hold a debate between them, and try to confront them not with the usual political issues that often provide headlines and traffic, but with the essential questions and issues that do not always receive the proper attention.
After hosting MK Zvi Sukkot and Liran Avishar Ben-Horin from Naftali Bennett's party last week, our guests today are Member of Knesset Michael Malkieli from Shas and Member of Knesset Oded Forer from Yisrael Beiteinu. We asked them about the conscription of ultra-Orthodox into the IDF, the cost of living, the security situation, the public service, and the plans in case they are part of the next coalition to be formed.
The Conscription Rift
Malkieli said at the beginning of the interview that the last government's term was not easy: "We were in the middle of the term during the biggest event, October 7, which I think is not a coalition event but an event of the State of Israel, a breaking event, where everyone needs to be responsible for another. To understand where we are, to understand who our enemies are, to understand that the division between us only contributes to and feeds the enemies outside the fence."
Forer replied: "I restrained myself from bursting into loud laughter when I hear him explaining to us how much October 7 was a defining event and subsequently why one should promote an evasion law. The IDF needs soldiers and fighters. I see the ultra-Orthodox guys, 18, 19, 20 years old. Healthy, strong, capable of blocking roads, capable of rioting, capable of hitting police officers. Everything. They cannot fight Hamas and Hezbollah? What, only our guys have to shed their blood for the defense of the State of Israel?"
Economy and Security
Regarding the cost of living, Forer stated: "The first decision is first of all that state budgets will go to all citizens of Israel and not to sectors. When we are in the government, not only will we distribute the money equally, but we will also open the market to competition." Malkieli responded by highlighting Shas's record: "Shas held very significant ministries. When I was Minister of Religious Services, heads of authorities, none of whom are related to Shas, say that the party helped everyone. We never checked which place they vote for."
