Shas Leader Deri's "Nasser-Style" Resignation Criticized
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Political commentator Barak Seri criticized Shas party leader Arie Deri's recent move as a "Nasser-style resignation," arguing Deri should step down due to the party's poor election results. Seri claims Deri alienated voters, causing Shas to lose significant support. He believes Deri is using a tactic similar to Nasser's to pressure rabbis into asking him to stay. Seri also suggested the "Change Bloc" coalition will have to break a major election promise to avoid new elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas leader Arie Deri's "Nasser-style resignation" is a tactic to stay in power despite poor election results, says commentator.
- Commentator Barak Seri claims Deri's leadership alienated voters, causing Shas to lose significant support.
- Shas's election campaign attempted to distance itself from Deri's image, featuring other prominent figures instead.
- A leadership vacuum and internal conflicts exist within Shas, according to Seri.
- The "Change Bloc" coalition will likely break a core election promise to avoid new elections, Seri stated.
Political commentator Barak Seri has described Shas party leader Arie Deri's recent actions as a "Nasser-style resignation," suggesting it was a calculated move to remain in power despite the party's poor election performance. Seri argued that if Deri truly cared about Shas, he should step down, as his continued leadership has become a "millstone around the party's neck." According to Seri, Deri alienated approximately 5 Knesset seats worth of traditional voters and 20% of Haredi voters, leading to a significant drop in Shas's mandate from 11 seats.
Seri noted that Shas's election campaign attempted to distance itself from Deri, with his image removed from campaign materials and figures like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef featured instead. Despite these efforts, Deri's influence continued to drive voters away. Seri drew a parallel between Deri's tactics and those of Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting both leaders surround themselves with individuals who cannot challenge their authority.
He further pointed to a leadership vacuum within Shas, exacerbated by a weak Council of Torah Sages whose members are reportedly in conflict. Seri likened the situation to the Likud party, where Netanyahu's departure would leave a leadership void. He mentioned that Deri had previously driven away potential successors like Yaakov Margi and Moshe Arbel.
Seri explained the "Nasser-style resignation" by referencing Gamal Abdel Nasser's post-Six-Day War resignation announcement, which was followed by public outcry demanding he stay. He believes Deri is employing a similar tactic, signaling to rabbis that he would be pleased if they urged him to remain and rebuild the party.
Regarding the "Change Bloc" coalition, Seri stated they would be forced to break a core election promise. He identified three key promises: removing Netanyahu from power, not sitting with Haredi parties (except Yair Golan), and genuine Haredi conscription. Seri believes breaking one of these promises is inevitable to avoid new elections, which he suggests would benefit Netanyahu. He noted that Netanyahu currently leads a bloc of only 46 mandates, as United Torah Judaism is expected to remain neutral.
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