Shas Party Leader Aryeh Deri Considers Knesset Exit After Election Blow

Aryeh Deri, the leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, is reportedly considering resigning from the Knesset, Israel's parliament, following a significant electoral setback. The decision is expected within the coming hours, with party insiders and rabbinical figures awaiting his final word. Sources close to Deri indicate he is leaning towards stepping down from his Knesset seat but may retain a leadership role within the party, potentially as party chairman from outside the Knesset or under a new title, "Chairman of Shas." If Deri resigns, Ariel Atias is seen as the likely successor to take his place in the Knesset and potentially lead the party's bloc.

The Shas party experienced a substantial decline in the recent elections, dropping from 11 seats to just six. This outcome represents the party's lowest vote count since 2019, losing approximately 100,000 voters compared to the previous election. The results indicate a weakening of Shas's support base, both within its traditional Haredi strongholds and among religiously conservative voters who have historically been a key constituency.

Adding to the internal deliberations, Aryeh Kalman, a reporter specializing in Haredi affairs, reported that Rabbi Reuven Alabz, a member of the Council of Torah Sages, is refusing to sign a letter that would prevent Deri from resigning. This suggests potential internal divisions regarding Deri's future leadership and role within the party.