Shas Party Leader Aryeh Deri Claims Coalition Members Sought to Oust Netanyahu

Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri revealed in an interview that opposition figures attempted to recruit him to a plan to topple the current government through a constructive no-confidence vote. Deri stated that three members of the ruling coalition were prepared to join such a move, which would have secured the necessary 61 Knesset members to pass.

Deri recounted that during a period of political turmoil, various individuals, including opposition members, lawyers, and "Kaplanists" (protesters against the government's judicial overhaul), visited his home. They urged him to participate in a plan to replace the government, arguing that the country was fractured and needed immediate change. Some even proposed that Deri lead a transitional government until new elections could be held.

When asked by interviewer Yaakov Bardugo if the opposition's plan had support within the coalition, Deri confirmed it unequivocally. He stated that three coalition members were involved in efforts to gather the required majority. Deri suggested these coalition members also harbored ambitions of their own, possibly aiming to become prime minister themselves.

Despite the alleged attempts to persuade him, Deri confirmed he refused the offer to lead a move against the government. When pressed to name the three coalition members involved, Deri declined, stating it was unnecessary and that people could guess for themselves. Deri's revelations suggest that efforts to destabilize the government extended beyond the opposition, involving internal coalition members as well.