Shas Chairman Deri Launches Internal Probe After Election Blow

Following a significant electoral defeat where the Shas party's strength was halved, Chairman Aryeh Deri has initiated a recovery process aimed at understanding the reasons behind the poor performance. Deri convened party representatives, including municipal officials, demanding a detailed analysis of election results in their respective areas, including the causes for the decline and conclusions for the future.

Deri emphasized his desire for candid assessments, not reports that sugarcoat the failure. He instructed representatives to present the most difficult and painful conclusions, believing that a direct examination of the causes is essential for the party's rehabilitation. This internal investigation is particularly significant as Shas's ground operations, known for its extensive network of activists and representatives, have historically been a major strength.

Internal discussions within the party are already revealing harsh criticisms. One source within Shas suggested that the party has drifted away from its traditional voter base and moved too close to extreme Haredi positions, likening it to becoming a "branch of the Jerusalem Faction." This source stated that the "Haredi Shas has taken over the movement, while traditional Shas has simply disappeared."

The attempt to reconnect with the traditional public during the recent election campaign is seen by some as too late, with one individual noting that "you can't show two videos with soldiers in a campaign and think it will fix four years of damage." The party now faces the challenge of regaining its traditional voters without alienating its core Haredi constituency.