תנועת ש"ס אינה זקוקה לשיקום. תנועת ש"ס זקוקה לשינוי | רועי לחמנוביץ'

The Shas party needs a change, not a rehabilitation, to regain political influence after its electoral defeat. According to analyst Roi Lachmanovitch, the party must reconnect with its traditional voters who have abandoned it, acknowledge past mistakes, and express understanding for their experiences since the October 7th massacre.

Historically, Shas appealed to two main groups: Sephardic Torah scholars and the traditional Mizrahi public. The party's leadership successfully navigated the tensions between these demographics, a feat that continued even after the passing of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. However, the events of October 7th and the subsequent war, coupled with the controversy surrounding the draft law, proved too much for the traditional Mizrahi public, which bore a heavy burden and whose lives have not returned to normal.

This segment of the electorate expected solidarity and advocacy from Shas and the Torah scholars, not a call for integration into broader Israeli society. Instead, they felt alienated. While Shas's campaign attempted to bridge this divide, particularly with a video showing a soldier and a yeshiva student, the impact of October 7th was too profound.

Lachmanovitch argues that if Shas's 2027 campaign mirrors its 2026 approach, its results will be worse. To survive and thrive, the party must apologize to its traditional voters, demonstrate empathy for their post-October 7th struggles, and highlight human elements with respected figures identified with Israeli and traditional values. Such a campaign could also appeal to voters of other Haredi parties and those considering them.