Jerusalem – 17:22: According to the preliminary information being leaked by Shas officials, a deal has been announced by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita by which he will hold the title as the head of Shas and both Eli Yishai and Aryeh Deri will operate under him. Most officials explain the proposed arrangement as a partial victory for Deri and a loss for Yishai, who simply did not want to have to share control of the party with anyone, let alone Deri. It appears both will however accept the rav’s position, seeking to find a formula to work side-by-side.

It appears that Chacham Ovadia was torn between his loyalty to Yishai and the reality that Deri will bring the votes that Yishai simply cannot bring.

The draft solution is going to be presented to the party’s Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael for a vote, but some explain it is a “rubber stamp formality for the rabbonim dare to reject the arrangement that Maran Rav Ovadia pained over in the hope of keeping Shas from being torn apart from the inside out.

The rabbonim have not yet announced when they will be meeting, possibly today, Wednesday 1 Cheshvan 5773 or tomorrow.

Additional details of the proposed Shas agreement/arrangement will follow as confirmed information becomes available.