Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli of Shas spoke after the decision to withdraw from the government. He said that "the Council of Torah Sages instructed Shas representatives to resign immediately from all their positions in the government." Malkieli noted that "there is no place for cooperation with the left," and added: "The Council of Torah Sages makes an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Netanyahu to release all the hostages who are languishing in tunnels."

