Shas and Degel HaTorah Finalize Knesset Lists Amidst Internal Shifts

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party convened its Council of Torah Sages in Jerusalem to discuss its Knesset list, with party leader Aryeh Deri presenting potential changes. While no final list was released, potential new candidates include Joseph Elnatonov, a representative of the Bukharan community, and retired Lieutenant Colonel Dror Amos, former head of the Haifa Religious Council. Shas reportedly sought a security-oriented figure to align with its "love for soldiers" messaging, despite its support for a conscription exemption law. Some incumbent Knesset members, like Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur and former Deputy Minister Moshe Abutbul, expressed concern about potential removal from the list but are expected to remain.

Meanwhile, the Degel HaTorah faction of the United Torah Judaism party has revealed its leadership slate following internal controversy over the removal of veteran lawmakers Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev. The list, which will be merged with Agudat Yisrael, features prominent figures such as former Health Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf in second place and Meir Porush in fourth. New additions include Moshe Rosenthal, head of the Bnei Brak education department, Yehuda Weissfish, chairman of the Yeshiva Students Association, and Dudi Zaltz, deputy mayor of Beitar Illit.

Within the Belz Hasidic community, a faction within Agudat Yisrael, there is internal pressure to replace veteran MK Yisrael Eichler with Eliakim Stark, a close associate of the Rebbe, despite the Rebbe's reported decision for Eichler to continue representing the community.