The process of rehabilitating the Shas party appears to be underway. While ignoring previous gestures, former Shas leader Eli Yishai on Wednesday, 26 Cheshvan 5774 agreed to meet with party leader Aryeh Deri.

The two met for under an hour and emerged all smiles as expected, providing the badly-needed photo-op for waiting reporters.

Yishai told reporters that there are two Eli Yishais, the private individual and the public servant who has and will always follow the instructions of Maran ZT”L. He stated that at present, he is the public official and Shas will remain united and rumors of a planned split are unfounded as far as he is concerned. Yishai promises to do his utmost to work towards building a stronger Shas.

However, the meeting between the two was far from all smiles as Deri insisted that he receive an official position in the party, including a deputy slot that automatically places him in charge in Deri’s absence Deri was adamant in his refusal.

For now it appears that little else was agreed upon in addition to the photo-op. political analysts believe Yishai will continue towing the party line for the time being as he plans his next move, which will become evident to all before the next Knesset election.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)