Shas Party Leader Aryeh Deri Criticized Internally Over 2026 Election Performance

Shemesh and other critics accuse Deri of being disconnected from reality and surrounded by sycophants who tell him what he wants to hear. According to Channel 13, Deri receives filtered news from a special channel managed by the party's public relations team, which presents a false picture of the situation. This environment has fostered a culture of cronyism, where personal loyalty and political appointments are prioritized over professionalism and merit.

Furthermore, the party is accused of disregarding its voters and opposing the integration of the Haredi public into society. Critics point to inflammatory statements, such as throwing conscription orders into the trash, and argue that Shas is losing its original identity. Shemesh warned that the party is becoming an extreme branch of United Torah Judaism and urged Deri to acknowledge the election results to facilitate necessary changes.