not everywhere· Politics· Updated 4 Nov, 20:17

Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Remains Chairman After Rabbis Reject Resignation Request

The Council of Torah Sages of the Shas party has rejected a request from its chairman, Aryeh Deri, to step down from his leadership position. The decision was made on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during a telephone consultation, following the party's significant decline in the recent elections, where Shas secured only six Knesset seats.

4 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 4 Nov, 18:12

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What happened

01The Shas Council of Torah Sages rejected Aryeh Deri's request to resign as party chairman following recent election losses.
02The decision was made during a telephone consultation on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after an in-person meeting in Jerusalem was canceled.
03Deri will remain the chairman of Shas regardless of whether he retains his Knesset seat or resigns from parliament.
04Shas experienced a significant decline in the elections, securing only six Knesset mandates.
05Shas representatives formally recommended Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister during consultations with President Isaac Herzog.
06A joint letter of support for Deri was abandoned after two council members refused to sign alongside former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.
07Some rabbis blamed Yosef's controversial statements regarding draft notices for costing the party up to 100,000 voters.

Deri, who had sought to withdraw from public life after the electoral losses, accepted the council's directive, stating he obeys the rabbis' decision and will continue to lead the party. The council determined that Deri will remain the head of the movement regardless of whether he continues to serve as a Member of Knesset or resigns. During consultations with President Isaac Herzog, Shas representatives formally recommended Benjamin Netanyahu for prime minister.

While Deri has the backing of the council, internal tensions remain. A planned joint letter of support for Deri was abandoned because two council members refused to sign alongside former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. Some rabbis blamed Yosef's controversial statements regarding draft notices for costing Shas up to 100,000 voters, particularly in ultra-Orthodox cities where the party suffered a substantial decline in support.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated 06:51

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