Shas Party List Shake-up Averted After Last-Minute Maneuvering
A political drama unfolded behind the scenes within the Shas party as it finalized its Knesset list, narrowly avoiding the removal of veteran lawmakers.
Initially, party leader Aryeh Deri reportedly planned a significant reshuffling, aiming to sideline Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur and MK Moshe Abutbul. However, both politicians mounted a swift defense.
Ben-Tzur's efforts culminated in a meeting with spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a photo of which was widely circulated, generating significant pressure on the party leadership. This intervention, along with other rapid maneuvers, led to the Council of Torah Sages intervening.
The Council decided to halt the planned dismissals, reinstating Ben-Tzur and Abutbul into realistic positions on the list. MK Yinon Azulai saw a significant rise, securing the second spot on the overall list, behind Deri, bolstering his support base in Ashdod.
The proposed list, submitted for rabbinical approval, places Deri first, followed by Azulai, Michael Malchieli, Ben-Tzur, Haim Biton, Dror Amos, Yoni Meshriki, Yossi Tayeb, Uriel Busso, Abutbul, and Erez Malul in eleventh.
While the current list reflects the prevailing power dynamics, Shas emphasizes that the final composition will only be official upon the Council of Torah Sages' final approval.
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