Shas Leader Aryeh Deri's Attempt to Oust MKs Thwarted; Gafni Received Dismissal Letter

Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri attempted to remove veteran Knesset members Yoav Ben-Tzur and Moshe Abutbul from the party's list, but the move was halted by the Council of Torah Sages. Ben-Tzur had actively lobbied party rabbis in recent days, including a documented meeting with Shas's spiritual leader, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, which may have contributed to the council's decision to postpone the dismissals. Concurrently, Deri is reportedly seeking to mitigate the impact of a conscription exemption law by potentially adding Rabbi Dror David Amos, a Haifa religious council head and IDF reservist, to the Shas list.

In parallel developments, details have emerged regarding the dramatic night MK Moshe Gafni was informed of his dismissal from the Degel HaTorah party list. Associates of Gafni revealed that an envelope was left at his doorstep shortly after midnight. Inside was a letter from Rabbi Dov Landau, informing Gafni of his removal from the party's roster. The letter also announced the dismissal of MK Uri Maklev. Degel HaTorah is expected to frame these dismissals as an effort to bring new energy into the party, emphasizing that Rabbi Landau's decisions are final, regardless of poll results.