In recent weeks, Am Shalem party leader Rabbi Chaim Amsellem has attempted to reach agreement to link with a number of parties ahead of elections for the 20th Knesset. The list includes Bayit Yehudi and the Kulanu party headed by Moshe Kahlon. There were also talks with Likud officials.
It is now reported that talks are underway towards Amsellem’s return to Shas, the party he was ousted from, leading to the launch of his own party. From Shas’ perspective, the Amsellem votes would buy the party another seat or two.
Speaking to Mordechai Lavi of Kol Berama Radio, MK Yaakov Margi explained that Shas is focused on achdus and towards achieving this, efforts include closing ranks with Rabbi Chaim Amsellem and Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak.
MK Yitzchak stated this was among the issues discussed at a recent faction meeting in Shas’ Jerusalem headquarters.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
8 Responses
Mr. Amsellem will not buy Shas another seat or two. Amsellem couldn’t get a single seat last time he ran. And this time the entry requirement are higher (needing 4 seats rather than 2.) Amsellem will be happy to take any crumbs offered to him.
To YWN editor-
Please don’t call him Rabbi. He hates Charedim.
If you don’t know the in’s and out’s please don’t post. People get the wrong message.
Thanks
And it is highly unlikely Shas will accept a man called a rasha by Chacham Ovadia Yosef himself. Has Amsellem even yet renounced his previous support, in the last election, for bus service to run on Shabbos?
achdus?
why not start with yishai?
oh yeah, achdus means to get the most seats while not having to admit you were wrong
Moti lavi was being quite cynical with Margi when discussing this subject of reuniting Amasallem and Yitzchak, and I’m surprised YWN even bothered taking it literally.
(he was kinda poking fun that they would unite with others but not with Yishai….)
I doubt it would ever happen.
But then aagaain, with shas, u just never know.
“And it is highly unlikely Shas will accept a man called a rasha by Chacham Ovadia Yosef himself.”
ever heard of a man named Aryeh Deri?
If he can bring in one or two seats, his addition would help the party that recruits him, though his bargaining position is poor since he lacks an option to run on his own.
If he can convince the MKs that he can bring in votes/seats they will welcome him with outstretched hands.