The Shas party addressed the controversy surrounding party chairman Aryeh Deri's alleged call for yeshiva students not to enlist – a call that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed was never made – and stated: "To all those spreading the lie that Rabbi Deri encouraged draft evasion – this is a false accusation. He never called for draft evasion or non-service. He delivered words of encouragement to students of a junior yeshiva in Jerusalem, aged 15-16, and emphasized that Torah study is the foundation of the spiritual and security existence of the people of Israel. As a member of the political-security cabinet, Rabbi Deri works day and night for Israel's security and protecting the lives of IDF soldiers."