Netanyahu Intervenes to Secure Party Funding Law Amid Shas Leader's Opposition in Final Knesset Vote

In the final hours before the dissolution of Israel's 25th Knesset, a political crisis unfolded over the party funding law, revealing the significant influence of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri. The law, which included a clause for dissolving the Knesset and aimed to increase party funding ahead of upcoming elections, initially lacked the necessary majority after Deri instructed Shas members to leave the plenum. Shas opposed the law because it also benefited opposition parties, and they felt the coalition should not bear the political cost alone.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was summoned to the Knesset late at night to personally secure the 61 votes needed for passage. He engaged in intense negotiations, including contacting Shas representatives and attempting to persuade Deri directly, even asking for his address to meet him. Concurrently, Shas MKs Haim Biton and Yossi Tayeb were called to the Prime Minister's office for discussions.

Following these efforts, Deri lifted his veto, and Shas returned to support the law, enabling the coalition to achieve the required majority. This allowed the party funding law to pass and the Knesset to be formally dissolved. Deri explained his initial opposition was a strategic message to the opposition, stating that Shas, a financially stable party without debts, did not need the increased funding but wanted to highlight that the opposition sought the law while expecting Shas to bear the criticism.