Shas Council of Torah Sages Decides Against Ousting Knesset Members

The Council of Torah Sages of the Shas party concluded a special meeting held in anticipation of the upcoming Knesset elections. Contrary to earlier reports and a similar "coup" within a related Lithuanian party, the sages decided not to remove any current Knesset members from the Shas list. Reports suggesting the imminent ousting of two Shas lawmakers were inaccurate.

The meeting, attended by all council members except Rabbi Yishai Shapira, also saw the addition of two new names to the Shas electoral slate. Rabbi Yosef Elnatonov will join as a representative of the Bukharan community, and Rabbi Dror David Amos, chairman of the Haifa Religious Council, a retired IDF officer, and public figure, will also be included. Amos's name had recently surfaced as a potential candidate to fill a military-affiliated slot on the list.

While no dramatic oustings occurred, the council did approve changes to the positioning of candidates on the list. Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri was present at the significant gathering.