Shas Rabbis Forbid Arie Deri From Resigning After Election Blow
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Shas movement rabbis have forbidden party chairman Arie Deri from resigning his position following the party's recent electoral decline from 11 to 6 Knesset seats. Deri had reportedly planned to step down from the Knesset but continue as chairman. The Council of Torah Sages praised Deri's contributions and instructed him to remain, citing the ongoing battle over the conscription law for Torah scholars as a critical reason for his continued leadership.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shas rabbis forbade chairman Arie Deri from resigning after the party's election losses.
- The Council of Torah Sages issued a directive for Deri to remain as party chairman.
- Shas fell from 11 to 6 seats in the recent Knesset elections.
- Deri was reportedly planning to resign from the Knesset but stay on as chairman.
- Rabbis cited the conscription law for Torah scholars as a key issue for Shas.
- The directive invoked Jewish law regarding leadership during critical battles.
The Council of Torah Sages of the Shas movement has forbidden its chairman, Rabbi Arie Deri, from resigning from his position following the party's significant electoral losses. The rabbis issued a statement in the movement's publication, 'Ha'Derech,' urging Deri to remain as chairman and "forbid him from leaving his role in the movement."
This directive comes after Shas dropped from 11 seats to 6 in the recent elections. In the past week, reports indicated Deri intended to resign from the Knesset and continue as party chairman from outside the legislature. Deri, who is barred by the Supreme Court from serving as a minister, had a minimal presence in the Knesset, even conducting party meetings from Shas offices rather than the parliament building. He was reportedly invited by Prime Minister Netanyahu to the diplomatic-security cabinet as a moderating influence and consolation prize after being removed from the government.
Following the election setback, Deri had sought to vacate his Knesset seat for the next candidate on the Shas list. However, the Council of Torah Sages has now explicitly prohibited this. The rabbis praised Deri's "self-sacrifice" and "immense contribution to establishing the world of Torah," instructing him to continue his mission and "remain strong in doing the will of the sages as always."
The statement also highlighted the conscription law as a primary issue for Shas to champion. "At a time when Torah scholars are groaning under the yoke of decrees in the midst of battle and crying out for salvation, and all the inhabitants of the land of Israel are in immense spiritual danger regarding fundamental matters of faith, the most experienced general is required to lead the campaign," the rabbis wrote. They invoked Rambam's laws of kings, stating that "when going into battle, there is no possibility of turning back midway," and that Deri is "not free to leave it."
