Shas Leader Deri Slams Demand to Investigate Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef

Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri fiercely attacked the Movement for Quality of Government's demand for a criminal investigation into Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. Deri directed his criticism cynically at the movement's chairman, Eliad Shraga, questioning how far he would go in disrespecting his own community.

The controversy stems from Rabbi Yosef's recent criticism of the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, who prohibited state funding for a memorial event honoring Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the late spiritual leader of Shas and father of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. Rabbi Yosef likened the prohibition to persecution and a wicked decision, contrasting it with state-funded memorial events for Yitzhak Rabin, arguing for discriminatory treatment based on political affiliation.

Deri accused Shraga, who he claimed purports to care about civil rights, of instead "brazenly attacking" Rabbi Yosef, the successor to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who he said voices the pain of a large public. Deri questioned Shraga's commitment to his own community, particularly given the cancellation of the memorial for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, whom many from the Moroccan community revere.

The Movement for Quality of Government stated that Rabbi Yosef's remarks raised concerns of incitement to violence and using a public position to attack legal authorities. The Ministry of Religious Services also expressed anger, asserting the Attorney General's decision contradicts a law requiring the state to hold a national commemoration for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Shas declared that the Attorney General's demand is a severe blow to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's memory and a blatant trampling of the law, with Deri framing the upcoming elections as a choice between the Attorney General's authority and the legacy of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Jewish tradition.