Shas co-leader Eli Yishai is reportedly expressing support for the party backing Aryeh Deri in the Jerusalem mayoral race. It appears Yishai is less concerned with how good a mayor Deri may be, but supporting and persuading him to enter that race will compel him to leave Knesset, a major step towards Yishai reverting back to the days of his uncontested control of the party.
The daily Maariv reports on Tuesday Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5773 that in talks with representative from chareidi parties, Yishai has announced Shas plans to have a candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race. Yishai explained there must be a rotation, Degel Yisrael (Uri Lupoliansky), then Agudas Yisrael (Meir Porush), and now it is Shas’ turn.
Deri adds on his Facebook page “I understand they are trying to update me on my political ambitions via various media reports.”
“The only thing busying me is efforts to rehabilitate Shas and to stabilize the party in preparation for the fierce battle surrounding budgetary cuts and harsh gezeiros. Shas plans to be a fierce member of the opposition towards making good on its commitments to voters.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Your headline states:
“Yishai Wants Deri in Jerusalem Mayoral Race to Get Rid of Him”
Does YWN Israel desk have any proof to that? Is that fact or opinion? When they are trying some last minute ditch efforts to include the Shas & Agudah parties in the Government, these explosive statements are not helpful!
That makes me think of how the Republican machine in New York wanted to get rid of Teddy Roosevelt, and convinced him to run for Vice-President.
If Deri wins, especially with broad support from Hareidim, Sefardim and Arabs – he will emerge a a major threat to the Israeli establishment. He’ll have a very visible job, and one that recently led to becoming Prime Minister. He wouldn’t be in it for the patronage, he woulb be challenging the very essence of the zionist establishment.