In the eyes of the media there is nothing but praise for Shas’ accomplishments, three individuals committed to their tzibur, pushing ego aside for the good of the community. However, the truth begins leaking out today as Aryeh Deri accuses the veteran leaders, those who ran the party for over the past decade of “not doing enough”.

According to Kikar Shabbos, things are not going smoothly between Deri and Ariel Atias regarding the party’s motzei shabbos event in the Jerusalem Convention Center, the official launch of the party’s election campaign in the presence of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita. When asked to comment, both Atias and Deri aides say “no such thing occurred”, making certain to maintain the external achdus but those in the know say that tachlis, the situation is a far cry from unity.

What cannot be denied are statements made publically by Deri, accusing the leaders “of not doing enough over recent years”, promising “we will do more”. This was a clear attack to former leader Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai, who today shares the trio-leadership position with Deri and Atias.

When asked to comment, Deri added “if Shas was not in the government, things would be even worse.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)