Shas Party Faces Electoral Crisis Amidst Voter Alienation
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The Shas party is projected to lose more than half its parliamentary seats, falling from 11 to 6 mandates in the recent election. This decline is blamed on alienating both traditional and Haredi voters due to its stance on military conscription. Party leader Arie Deri is reportedly considering resignation, while rabbis are urging supporters to remain strong.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas party faces electoral collapse, projected to fall from 11 to 6 mandates.
- Party's stance on military conscription alienated both Haredi and traditional voters.
- Leader Arie Deri is reportedly considering resignation amid the crisis.
- Rabbis are rallying to support Deri and encourage party members.
- Nearly 300,000 people joined a call for spiritual strengthening, according to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.
The Shas party is reportedly facing a significant electoral decline, projected to drop from 11 mandates to just 6. This downturn is attributed to a dual alienation of both traditional and Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) voters, with internal party sources pointing to strategic errors during the election campaign. Reports suggest that party leader Arie Deri is considering stepping down, prompting prominent rabbis to rally in support of him.
The crisis stems from conflicting voter bases. On one hand, the failure to pass a conscription law and ongoing arrests of draft dodgers have deeply disappointed the Haredi community. On the other hand, Shas's campaign against military conscription alienated many traditional voters, leaving the party caught between these two segments.
In a letter, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef addressed the party's supporters, acknowledging a difficult period for the Jewish people where Torah scholars are "persecuted." He noted that "nearly 300,000 men and women joined the call 'Who is for the Lord, to me!'" and urged them to "strengthen and be encouraged." The letter did not directly mention the election results or the party's mandate numbers, but aimed to bolster morale amidst the perceived hardship.
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