Shas Suffers Dramatic Election Loss, Losing Over 100,000 Voters
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Shas party experienced a dramatic electoral collapse, losing over 100,000 voters and securing only six Knesset seats. The party lost support in both Haredi cities and peripheral areas, failing to retain its traditional voter base. Senior officials expressed shock and frustration, acknowledging a strategic failure and anticipating long-term consequences for the party's identity and future actions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shas suffered a dramatic electoral loss, dropping to six Knesset seats from over 100,000 voters.
- The party lost support in Haredi cities to United Torah Judaism and in peripheral areas.
- Shas failed to retain its traditional base of "people of the fields" and openly religious voters.
- The party's planned victory celebration was canceled as preliminary results showed a significant decline.
- A senior Shas official admitted a strategic failure in losing the "people of the fields" demographic.
- The defeat is expected to reshape Shas's identity and future political stances.
The Shas party is in shock following a significant electoral defeat, with preliminary results showing the party securing only six Knesset seats. This represents a dramatic loss of over 100,000 voters compared to the previous election, where Shas garnered 392,964 votes. The current count shows 273,708 votes for Shas, with little chance of gaining a seventh seat from double-envelope ballots.
Analysis of the results indicates a dual blow to the Sephardic party. Shas weakened in Haredi cities, losing voters to United Torah Judaism and Itamar Ben-Gvir's party. Simultaneously, the party experienced a collapse in peripheral towns and villages, losing support among the "people of the fields" and traditional, openly-kippah wearing voters.
The shock was evident on election night. Shas had rented a large venue and prepared a stage with an orchestra for a victory celebration. However, as early results indicated the extent of the decline, party leadership made the surprising decision to cancel the event and send activists home.
Party chairman Arie Deri initially attempted to project optimism in a message to activists, urging them to await the final results and rest, stating that Shas would achieve a very good outcome. However, as the true results became clear, a complete silence fell over the party leadership.
Senior party officials expressed deep frustration, admitting that no one anticipated such a result. "We were sure we would win at least ten seats," one official stated, describing the situation as a "shock" and a "collapse." Activists are also questioning what went wrong and who is responsible, with some suggesting Deri needs to re-evaluate who misled him.
This electoral defeat is expected to have long-term consequences for Shas's identity and future operations. A Knesset member acknowledged the strategic failure, stating, "We have undoubtedly lost the 'people of the fields.' We have become a Haredi party, no longer representing both sectors." The new reality, he added, will dictate future party actions, particularly on sensitive issues like the draft law, with the understanding that the voter base is now predominantly Haredi.
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