Shas Chairman Arie Deri to Resign Knesset Seat, Remain Party Leader

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Shas party chairman Arie Deri will resign from the Knesset but will remain party leader, following instructions from senior rabbis. The Council of Torah Sages officially forbade him from leaving his chairmanship. Shas representatives met with President Isaac Herzog to recommend Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister, with MK Michael Malchieli noting the party's openness to a unity government.

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Shas Chairman Arie Deri will resign from the Knesset but remain party leader.
Senior rabbis, including Moshe Maya and Yitzchak Yosef, instructed Deri to stay as party chairman.
The Council of Torah Sages issued a statement forbidding Deri from leaving his role.
Shas representatives recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government.
MK Michael Malchieli stated Shas has never opposed a unity government.

Shas party chairman Arie Deri will resign his seat in the Knesset but will continue to lead the party, according to a source within Shas speaking to N12. The decision was made following a meeting with Rabbi Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Council of Torah Sages, who instructed Deri not to step down as party chairman. Shas's spiritual leader, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, also urged Deri to remain in his position.

The Council of Torah Sages issued a formal statement supporting Deri and forbidding him from leaving his role. This development comes after a week where Shas has reportedly operated without Deri's direct involvement in daily management, a situation described as unprecedented by party insiders. Knesset members Yinon Azulai and Michael Malchieli, ranked second and third on the Shas list, had reportedly consulted with Rabbi Maya without Deri present.

Earlier on Wednesday, Shas representatives, without Deri, met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog as part of consultations for forming a new government. During the meeting, they announced their recommendation for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government. MK Michael Malchieli stated that Shas has "never opposed a government of unity."