Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Affirms Loyalty to Netanyahu Amid Reports of Gadi Eizenkot Alliance

Following reports of a potential political rapprochement between Gadi Eizenkot, head of the Yisrael! party, and the ultra-Orthodox factions, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri publicly declared unwavering support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening. In an interview with Yishai Cohen on Kikar HaShabbat, Deri emphasized, "We support Netanyahu, period!" and dismissed Eizenkot's camp as one of "hatred against everything Jewish."

Deri criticized Eizenkot's leadership, stating, "Eizenkot leads a camp of hatred against all things Judaism," and reaffirmed that the "faithful bloc" aligns firmly with Netanyahu, whom he described as the most experienced leader and the only viable option. When asked if Shas would sign a loyalty letter to Netanyahu, even if he fails to secure a parliamentary majority of 61 seats, Deri responded unequivocally that Netanyahu is their sole candidate.

This declaration came after the Knesset approved several laws demanded by the ultra-Orthodox parties as part of a political deal recently revealed by ynet. These include the Basic Law on Torah Study, legislation preventing the arrest of draft dodgers, and the Kashrut Law. Deri expressed support for Netanyahu's efforts to form a broad government, noting that while a full right-wing government might hold a majority, it also fosters division and hatred.

Meanwhile, a new political axis seemed to be forming between Eizenkot and Shas, with Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a senior Sephardic rabbinical authority, suggesting Eizenkot might have a chance for political repentance, unlike Netanyahu. Eizenkot himself had recently praised Shas as a party with significant Zionist elements and military service among its voters, seeing it as a potential partner if it commits to three fundamental principles.

Despite these overtures, Deri's statements indicate that, at least for now, Shas remains firmly in Netanyahu's camp, especially after the recent legislative victories secured through their political deal.