As Shas party leader Aryeh Deri is being questioned by police for alleged tax evasion and other white collar crimes, officials in Shas are in contact with his predecessor, Eli Yishai.

According to the Yisrael Hayom daily, contact was made with Yishai as some fear Deri will have to resign if indicted in the case. The individuals who contacted Yishai supposedly wish to inquire as to reinstating him as party head if the need arises.

Shas officials insist their backing and support is total and there is nothing going on behind the scenes to replace him. Yishai himself declined comment on the report.

The reports adds Yishai’s Yachad party would agree to a union, but this union would not include Rosh Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz Shlita joining the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael. He would not join but would accept the leadership of HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita. Yishai would become the party leader in place of Deri but only if Deri is compelled to withdraw from political life due to the investigation against him.

It is added persons have been in touch with Rabbonim Mazuz and Cohen as a first step to probe this arrangement.

Rav Yaakov Cohen, a son of Rav Shalom Cohen, tells the media there has not been any contact between Shas and Yishai, denying the accuracy of the Yisrael Hayom report.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)