Analyst Explains Aryeh Deri's Decline Within Shas Party Amid Legal and Leadership Challenges
Political analyst Avishai Ben Haim discussed the significant decline in Aryeh Deri's standing within the Shas party, once considered a legendary figure in Israeli politics. Ben Haim attributed this downfall primarily to the intense legal prosecutions Deri faced, which severely damaged his public image. Without the strong backing of Shas founder Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Deri struggled to withstand internal pressures, especially regarding the contentious military conscription law.
Ben Haim compared Deri's situation to historical political setbacks, noting how dominant forces previously undermined leaders like Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon. He emphasized that Deri was once seen as a towering figure in Israeli politics, comparable to Benjamin Netanyahu. Journalist Yehuda Schlesinger, who has covered Shas for nearly two decades, reinforced this view by highlighting the dramatic shift in Deri's influence, pointing out that where once Deri's appearances electrified crowds, he now faces open challenges from factions within his own party.
The discussion also touched on the leadership dilemma Deri faces in upholding the moderate legacy of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who founded Shas as a mass movement promoting moderation. Deri attempted to maintain this moderate approach amid growing calls for a more extreme stance on the conscription issue. However, when Deri recently visited ultra-Orthodox detainees opposing the draft, a move seen as a hardening position, Ben Haim interpreted it as a sign of Deri's personal and political breaking point.
Ben Haim concluded that Deri's political tragedy stems from his inability to confront the grassroots pressures without the support of Rabbi Yosef's authority, compounded by the damage from ongoing legal battles. He suggested that Deri has not yet recovered from these challenges and remains vulnerable within his party and the broader public.
Summary: Analyst Avishai Ben Haim explains Aryeh Deri's diminished influence within Shas, linking it to legal troubles and loss of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's support, which left him vulnerable to internal party pressures, especially over the military conscription law. Journalist Yehuda Schlesinger confirms the shift in Deri's standing, noting factional challenges inside Shas. Deri's recent actions are seen as signs of his political and personal strain.
