Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Pressures Against Bnei Brak Protest and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's Attendance

Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party, attempted in the past day to prevent a protest rally held Monday night in Bnei Brak. According to Channel 13 news, Deri sent emissaries to the rally organizers with a clear request to cancel the event, fearing that signs denouncing him and chants such as "Go home" would be raised against him. A central concern for Deri was the attendance of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, one of Shas's most prominent and influential figures. Despite Deri's efforts, the rally proceeded as planned, with Rabbi Yosef speaking and leading the event.

This latest incident reveals significant tension around Rabbi Yosef, stemming from Deri's consistent refusal to appoint him as the party's spiritual leader. Senior Shas officials describe a dramatic picture of fractured leadership, where Deri is disconnected from the party's Knesset members and does not keep them informed about political and diplomatic developments he is leading. Meanwhile, frustration is growing among Shas's grassroots supporters toward Deri. The main criticism among activists and senior members is that Deri is coordinating too closely with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, distancing himself from the party's original line and the necessary ties with its rabbis.