Commentator Blames 'Israel 1' Hegemony for Shas's Decline
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Political commentator Avishai Ben-Chaim attributes the Shas party's decline from 11 to 6 Knesset seats to the "Hegemony of First Israel," which he claims systematically suppressed Mizrahi empowerment. Ben-Chaim argues this historical persecution, rooted in anti-Mizrahi stereotypes, culminated in Shas's electoral losses, with the public image of Aryeh Deri playing a significant role. He insists that any analysis of Shas's fall must include this hegemonic oppression.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Commentator Avishai Ben-Chaim blames the "Hegemony of First Israel" for Shas's drop from 11 to 6 Knesset seats.
- Ben-Chaim argues the decline stems from historical, systematic, and racist suppression of Mizrahi empowerment.
- The public image of former Shas leader Aryeh Deri is cited as a key factor in the party's downfall.
- He asserts that ignoring hegemonic oppression in discussions about Shas's decline is a moral and intellectual failing.
- Ben-Chaim describes the hegemony's actions as a deliberate effort to dismantle the Shas movement.
Political commentator Avishai Ben-Chaim has repeatedly addressed the significant drop in the Shas party's Knesset representation, from 11 seats to just 6. Ben-Chaim argues that the decline is not due to internal failings of Mizrahi (Sephardic) Jews, but rather a deliberate suppression by the "Hegemony of First Israel", a term he uses to describe the established Ashkenazi elite. He contends that this hegemony has historically engaged in a violent, criminalizing, and slanderous campaign against Mizrahi culture and political movements, rooted in racist anti-Mizrahi stereotypes.
According to Ben-Chaim, the current decline of Shas is merely the culmination of a long historical process of persecution. He asserts that the "Hegemony" perceived the rise of Mizrahi empowerment and their participation in Israeli democracy as a threat and actively worked to suppress it. This suppression, he explains, is often unconscious and instinctive, as the hegemony defends itself against equality and democracy.
Ben-Chaim specifically points to the public image of Aryeh Deri, a former leader of Shas, as a key factor in the party's downfall. He believes the hegemony's actions created Deri's image as a corrupt figure solely interested in money, thereby damaging Shas. While acknowledging internal Shas issues and responsibilities, Ben-Chaim insists that any serious discussion of the party's decline must include the role of this hegemonic oppression and persecution.
He further elaborated that the "hegemonic move to eliminate the Mizrahi uplift of Shas succeeded." Ben-Chaim stressed that any discussion of Shas's historical collapse or the political and social history of Mizrahim in Israel that omits the long-standing, unfair, and stereotype-laden persecution by the hegemony is morally and intellectually flawed, and perpetuates the oppression. He described how the hegemony systematically worked to dismantle the cultural and religious revival movement initiated by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, transforming it into a criminal event and gradually draining its influence.
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