Jerusalem Faction's Mock Protest Targets Shas Leader Arie Deri
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The Jerusalem Faction distributed "missing person" flyers for Shas Chairman Arie Deri after his party's poor election results. Deri is reportedly in seclusion and considering resignation, though allies are trying to convince him to stay. While Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef publicly supports Deri, some within Shas and rabbinical circles are discussing his removal due to the electoral losses.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas Chairman Arie Deri is the subject of a mock "missing person" protest by the Jerusalem Faction.
- The protest follows Shas's drop to six Knesset seats in the recent election.
- Deri is reportedly in seclusion at home and considering resigning from party leadership.
- Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has publicly sent Deri a letter of support.
- Some within Shas and rabbinical circles are discussing Deri's potential removal from leadership.
The Jerusalem Faction, a Haredi political group, distributed "missing person" flyers featuring a picture of Shas Chairman Arie Deri with the caption "Pray for him" during a demonstration on Thursday. This provocative action comes in the wake of Shas's reduced electoral performance, securing only six Knesset seats, and amid reports that Deri has been secluded at his home, hinting to close associates about a potential resignation from the party's leadership.
The flyers, which included a plea to contact the police if his whereabouts are known, are a pointed jab at Deri's current political predicament. Following the election results, Deri has reportedly been in seclusion, contemplating stepping down. Sources within Shas anticipate that rabbis and Knesset members close to Deri will visit him to persuade him to remain in his position and to project unity around his leadership.
Despite the electoral setback, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a member of the Council of Torah Sages and the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, has sent Deri a letter of support. This public endorsement comes as Deri's leadership is being scrutinized following the election outcome and internal party discussions. However, some senior figures within Shas reportedly view Deri's talk of resignation as a tactic to garner renewed support and solidify his leadership despite the poor results.
Furthermore, some rabbinical circles are reportedly discussing the possibility of removing Deri from leadership, citing the loss of approximately 100,000 votes in the recent election. The prevailing assessment is that Deri will likely continue to lead the party unless significant public opposition emerges from the movement's rabbis. Such public dissent could prompt Deri to resign preemptively to avoid a public confrontation that might harm him and the party.
