Shas Party Reveals Knesset List, Places Reserve Major Prominently

The Council of Torah Sages has finalized the Shas party's list for the 26th Knesset, with party leader Aryeh Deri at the top. A notable addition is reserve Major Dror Amos, placed in sixth position, ahead of several incumbent Knesset members. This placement is seen as a significant move by Shas to appeal to the "serving public" (a term often referring to religious Zionist soldiers and their families), particularly in light of recent criticism and anger from this sector regarding the party's support for the conscription law.

Amos, who was appointed chairman of the Religious Council in Haifa just last year, had been rumored as a potential candidate to represent the military community within Shas. His high ranking on the list, before sitting MKs, signals the party's intention to address the concerns of this demographic.

Another new face on the list is Yosef Elnatonov, representing the Bukharan community, who is placed eleventh. Shas stated that alongside the continued presence of its current Knesset members, the list will "integrate new forces who will work together to strengthen Jewish identity."

The full list includes Deri first, followed by Yinnon Azulai (second), Michael Malchieli (third), Yoav Ben-Tzur (fourth), Haim Biton (fifth), Dror Amos (sixth), Moshe Abutbul (seventh), Uriel Busso (eighth), Yosef Tayeb (ninth), Yonatan Mashriki (tenth), Yosef Elnatonov (eleventh), Erez Mamlul (twelfth), and Simon Mushiashvili (thirteenth). The list's composition was confirmed after discussions by the Council of Torah Sages, which decided not to remove incumbent MKs while also considering the inclusion of new candidates.