Shas Suffers Worst Election Result Since 1992, Chairman Considers Resignation
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The Shas party suffered its worst election result since 1992, dropping from 11 to six Knesset seats, leading Chairman Aryeh Deri to reportedly consider resignation. The party lost around 100,000 votes, with significant declines in peripheral and mixed cities. The election results have created a political deadlock, with neither the Netanyahu bloc nor the change bloc securing a majority, prompting complex alliance negotiations to avoid new elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas party's election results are its worst since 1992, falling from 11 to six Knesset seats.
- Chairman Aryeh Deri is reportedly considering resignation after the party lost approximately 100,000 votes.
- The election has resulted in a political deadlock, with neither bloc achieving the 61 seats needed for a government.
- Leaders are exploring new alliances, including potential cooperation with Ra'am or United Torah Judaism.
- The outcome necessitates difficult political negotiations to prevent further elections.
The Shas party experienced a dramatic electoral collapse, falling from 11 seats to just six in the latest election results, marking its worst performance since 1992. The party, which once peaked at 17 seats, is now set to be one of the smaller factions in the upcoming Knesset. Party chairman Aryeh Deri canceled the traditional election night event for activists and has reportedly been in seclusion at his home, with close associates suggesting he is contemplating resignation.
An analysis by Dr. Gilad Malach indicates Shas lost approximately 100,000 votes, with significant losses in peripheral towns (around 45%), mixed cities (around 35%), and smaller losses in Haredi cities (around 25%). Former MK Yigal Guetta attributed the losses to conflicting messages: a strong stance against conscription alienated traditional voters, while a failure to address draft exemption laws disappointed some Torah scholars.
Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef sent Deri a letter of encouragement, and other rabbis have visited his home. It remains unclear how these results will impact Deri's long-standing leadership position and whether the voters' message will prompt a change in Shas's direction.
The election results have left the political landscape without a clear majority, with Netanyahu's bloc holding 53 seats and the change bloc holding 48, neither approaching the 61 needed for a government. This deadlock necessitates re-evaluating political alliances to avoid further elections.
Within the change bloc, possibilities for a government led by Gadi Eisenkot or Naftali Bennett are being explored, potentially with support from parties outside their bloc, such as Ra'am (eight seats), or understandings with United Torah Judaism. However, these scenarios face significant political hurdles, particularly regarding cooperation with Arab parties and the demands of Haredi parties.
Netanyahu may also need to adjust his bloc's composition to retain power, possibly by incorporating parties from the change bloc, which would require compromising with some of his usual partners. Party leaders have begun meetings to assess options, but the path to forming a government remains long and contentious.
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