Unlike many Israeli politicians, Shas’ Interior Minister Aryeh Deri doesn’t aspire to higher office and would rather focus on his family and studies. He requested to be relieved of his Health Minister duties during the Israel-Hamas war, prioritizing the immense workload of the Interior Ministry. Arbel sees his role as “a reservist, not a career officer” and is more concerned with “preparing the ministry’s foundations” for his successor than short-term achievements.
As both a haredi yeshiva student and IDF reservist, Arbel believes haredi men who don’t study Torah full-time should serve in the IDF or national service. However, he also recognizes the importance of Torah study and calls for an “ecosystem of understanding” that preserves the identity of both sides. Arbel advocates for IDF service while maintaining a haredi lifestyle, viewing it as a liberal value and right.
Arbel’s approach to education reflects his view on haredi education as a whole. He supports expanding the core secular curriculum in haredi schools while acknowledging the value of full-time Torah study for those suited for it. The high costs of such institutions should be lowered to facilitate this.
Arbel’s work in the Interior Ministry has received praise from both sides of the political divide. Following the Hamas massacre on October 7th, the ministry implemented adaptations in all three branches: local authorities, immigration and citizenship, and urban planning and development. These changes led to broader initiatives, such as providing emergency services to evacuees, cutting bureaucracy for new infrastructure, and offering online documentation orders.
Arbel emphasizes services to Arab municipalities, including securing funding from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and addressing management issues. He cites the election of a young engineer in Jatt as evidence of improved governance in Arab local authorities.
Arbel views local authorities as key to bridging social gaps, investing in education and services to promote social mobility. He has also created an “aliyah eligibility document” for potential immigrants.
Despite the political divide, Arbel’s work in the Interior Ministry has garnered praise and he has shown sympathy for hostage families, meeting with them weekly and acknowledging their pain and anger as a moral duty.
