Shas Party Candidate Under Fire for Alleged Corruption

Drour Amos, a new candidate for the Shas party and chairman of the Religious Council in Haifa, is facing scrutiny over his financial dealings and alleged political maneuvering. An investigation revealed that the "Chessed Chaim V'Emet" association, founded by Amos, received millions of shekels from the Ministry of Religious Services without a tender, particularly during the "Swords of Iron" war. Families of war victims and evacuees claim they have never heard of the association's activities.

Further allegations suggest Amos conditioned the transfer of public funds for a women's mikvah (ritual bath) on the employment of a confidant, Rabbi Yisrael Stroll, in a fictitious role. The head of the mikvah association, Baruch Klepa, claims Amos demanded he pay Stroll approximately 10,000 shekels monthly. While Stroll denies involvement, Amos has vehemently denied the claims, stating he never discussed the mikvah funding with Klepa and that the association had requested Stroll serve as a supervising rabbi with the council covering costs.

The investigation also uncovered that the "Chessed Chaim V'Emet" association received additional funds from various religious councils, many managed by Shas officials, raising concerns of double funding. The association's 2024 report indicates over 2.5 million shekels were allocated for yeshiva students' scholarships, though no organized study location or office was found. The registered address for the organization was identified as the private villa of the Amos family in Yerucham.

Amos was appointed to his position in Haifa about a year and a half ago by the Ministry of Religious Services, reportedly after concealing his political affiliation with Shas, despite residing 240 kilometers away. The Ministry of Religious Services has been under Shas's political purview for years, and funding to the association during the recent war was approved under emergency tender exemptions.