Shas Chairman Deri Attacks Lawyer Over Moroccan Heritage

Arie Deri, chairman of the Shas party, has publicly criticized attorney Eliad Sharaga, head of the Movement for Quality of Government, for petitioning the High Court against the Chief Rabbi. Deri invoked Sharaga's Moroccan heritage, suggesting he should have supported the commemoration of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a revered figure among Sephardic Jews, rather than opposing the cancellation of a memorial event.

Deri wrote on social media, "Eliad Ben Gigi, as a member of the Moroccan community, it would be expected that you would be among the first to petition against the Attorney General who ordered the cancellation of the commemoration of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, whom so many from the Eastern communities admire and seek to perpetuate his legacy." He accused Sharaga of hypocrisy for not defending the commemoration while allegedly attacking Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

The controversy began when Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, strongly condemned Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for canceling a major memorial event for his father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Rabbi Yosef referred to the Attorney General as a "god-hating" and "wicked" woman, stating, "May God destroy her, she will get her blow." He contrasted the cancellation with the permission for a memorial for assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, whom he characterized as a political figure, unlike his father who was a religious scholar.

In response to Rabbi Yosef's remarks, the Movement for Quality of Government filed a complaint, demanding a criminal investigation against the Chief Rabbi for his statements.