While Chacham Ovadia succeeded in preventing Shas from self destruction with the new trio leadership forum, this is not an acceptable reality for the Central Election Committee, which demands a list of candidates. That means by this coming Thursday, 22 Kislev 5773, the deadline for submitting names, Shas will have to declare its party lineup and Aryeh Deri and Eli Yishai are fighting for the number one slot.

According to most, the placement in the first slot is irrelevant for Shas since Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita decides the various appointments. In addition, Rav Ovadia has already announced that the party today is headed by the two along with Ariel Atias.

All said and done the two are battling for points as they seek to claim the top position and this was evident on Sunday, 18 Kislev, when Shas held its first election rally. An estimated 700-1,000 supporters were on hand in the Haifa Convention Center to express support for the party. Particularly noticeable was the contingent of tens of residents of Kafr Manda, Arab supporters of Shas who have fond memories of the Deri days, who as minister of the interior moved mountains to assist the Israeli Arab population. They stated loud and clear that for them, Shas has only one leader, Aryeh Deri.

Yishai spoke first, in his usual charismatic fashion, met with support from the crowd. The night was closed with an address from Deri, who emphasized Shas represents those “who don’t have”, the underprivileged. Deri was extremely optimistic in his words, telling supports that while the Likud/Yisrael Beitenu union will emerge the largest party, Shas will be second, with 21 mandates, a far cry from the most optimistic polls, which give Shas about half that number.

When asked who will lead the party, the three responded “Maran is in first place and he will decide the party lineup.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)