developing· Politics· Updated 19:40

Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Expected to Resign Knesset Seat

Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri will resign his seat in the Knesset but will remain the leader of the party, following instructions from senior rabbis. Deri had formally requested that the Council of Torah Sages, the spiritual authority of Shas, approve his resignation from the Knesset and consider his request to step down as party head.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 14:09

Plus

Photos · 2

Photos the newsrooms posted about this story, and the ones the IDF and Magen David Adom released.

Official photos are free. 2 more with Plus.

What happened

01Shas chairman Aryeh Deri will resign his Knesset seat but remain the leader of the party.
02The Council of Torah Sages met on Wednesday and formally forbade Deri from leaving his chairmanship.
03Senior rabbis, including Rabbi Moshe Maya and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, instructed Deri to stay in his leadership role.
04Shas suffered a severe election defeat, dropping from 11 mandates to six in the 26th Knesset elections.
05Former minister Ariel Atias is being considered to lead Shas's parliamentary activities if Deri steps down from the Knesset.
06Shas representatives met with President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday and recommended Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government.

The Council of Torah Sages convened on Wednesday and issued a formal statement forbidding Deri from leaving his chairmanship. Senior rabbis, including Rabbi Moshe Maya and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, instructed Deri to stay in his leadership role. If Deri resigns from parliament, former minister Ariel Atias is being considered to lead Shas's parliamentary activities, while Deri intends to lead the party externally.

Deri's moves follow a severe setback in the elections for the 26th Knesset, where Shas fell from 11 mandates to six, its worst result since 1992. Following the election, Deri had been in seclusion at his home. Earlier on Wednesday, Shas representatives met with President Isaac Herzog without Deri, recommending Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government and noting that the party has never opposed a unity government.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 20:12

Latest report: Srugim. Read Srugim’s original