Deri Orchestrates Political Comeback Amidst Shas Election Woes
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Shas party leader Aryeh Deri is reportedly using a "hold me back" strategy to regain strength after the party's poor election results. Despite internal questioning of his leadership, Deri is expected to remain in charge, leveraging his control over the party's institutions. He plans to reframe the narrative, blaming systemic failures rather than his own leadership for the electoral setback.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas leader Aryeh Deri is using a political tactic to emerge stronger from the party's election losses.
- The party lost approximately 100,000 votes and secured only six Knesset seats.
- Some rabbis are reportedly questioning Deri's leadership for the first time in years.
- Deri is believed to have significant control over Shas's institutions and appointments.
- He is expected to remain leader and reframe the narrative around systemic failure.
Despite Shas securing only six Knesset seats and losing approximately 100,000 votes in the recent elections, party leader Aryeh Deri is reportedly orchestrating a familiar political maneuver to emerge from the crisis potentially strengthened. This strategy, described as a classic "hold me back" tactic, involves creating a crisis, allowing allies to express concern, and then being persuaded to remain in his leadership position.
Deri's approach is seen as a way to reframe his leadership not as a failure, but as essential for the party's survival, with religious leaders allegedly requesting his return to "save the ship." The article suggests Deri holds significant control over Shas's institutions, budgets, and appointments, making any move to oust him unlikely without his consent. Talk of his "dismissal" is characterized as wishful thinking by factions feeling their influence wane.
However, the report notes a shift, with some rabbis reportedly questioning Deri's leadership for the first time in years, suggesting his "addiction to power" and "deal-making politics" may have alienated voters and drained the party's spirit. Despite these internal murmurs, open opposition is considered unlikely, as rabbis fear a public confrontation would irrevocably split the party.
The prevailing expectation is that Deri will remain at the helm. He is anticipated to return to public life with the blessing of the religious council and a new narrative: that the system, not he, failed, and he is the sole figure capable of rectifying the situation. This method has been employed by Deri for three decades and is expected to be successful again.
Mentioned
