Shas Suffers Electoral Blow, Leader Deri Faces Criticism

The Sephardic ultra-Orthodox party Shas has seen its representation in the Knesset drop significantly, falling from eleven seats to six. This electoral decline has led to criticism of party leader Aryeh Deri, with former Minister Shlomo Benizri attributing the loss partly to the party's inconsistent stance on military conscription and its close alignment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benizri described the results as a "shock and an immense blow" to the community, calling for introspection within the party. He pointed out the contradiction between Shas representatives supporting a negotiated conscription law, based on a decision by the Council of Torah Sages, and other rabbis expressing strong opposition to military service. Benizri believes Deri should have foreseen the consequences of this crisis earlier and is blamed for losing the trust of some Orthodox voters who hold him responsible for the failure to pass a conscription law and protect their community.

Furthermore, Benizri questioned Shas's relationship with Netanyahu and the Likud party, stating, "Shas is not a satellite of the Likud." He emphasized that defending yeshiva students and Torah study remains a priority for Shas and suggested that alliances with other political forces, including left-wing parties, should not be ruled out if these interests are not guaranteed.

Political commentator Barak Seri, a former advisor to Deri, directly criticized the party leader on X. Seri argued that Deri's public statements against conscription alienated traditionalist voters whose families serve in the army. He cited Deri's pride in his grandsons not serving and his demands for increased budgets and ministries for the Orthodox public as reasons for this alienation, suggesting these voters shifted their support to the Likud. Seri also referred to Deri as a "burden" to Shas and dismissed rumors of his potential resignation as a maneuver by his associates.