There may still be dispute among the Sephardi tzibur as to who is following in the path of Maran, Aryeh Deri or Eli Yishai, but what is for certain is that Shas leader Aryeh Deri passed his most difficult test.
For a first time since his return to the political arena Deri was alone and he was compelled to compete against his political nemesis. Clearly, if Shas broke apart, the blame would have rested squarely on Deri’s shoulders but now, despite dropping from 11 to 7 seats, he emerges with a victory in hand.
Understandably Deri was quick to announce “Now it is clear to all who follows in the derech of Maran,” sending a message to his former partner Eli Yishai.
(The number of seats may fluctuate. The Central Election Committee states the final numbers will be released Thursday morning, 28 Adar).
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
The Big ?
Will he now behave and battle for what he claims to represent ?
Shas DID break apart and lost almost half of its MKs. This is a defeat for Shas not a victory. If Yachad had made it into the Kenesset it would have been better for Shas as Yachad would have added Chareidi strength. Without Yachad it is a double loss for Shas and Deri.
He lost most of his seats, and now Shas is the same size as the Ashkenazi hareidi party, rather than being much larger. And he’ll have to use what little clout he has to oppose conscription, rather than grovel for patronage.
Aha. Shas lost at least 4 seats but yet the writer above claims its some sort of moral victory?! Its the same spin the Democrats here in America just gave when they got hammered in the last election and lost the Senate!
I guess its time to have another Tallis & Tephillin party in the cemetery!
Did he pass the test of making sure no one from his team sabotaged yachad at the voting booth?
Spin, spin, spin. He also helped Lapid get many more votes. We went to Tel Aviv for the right-wing rally and saw enormous posters hanging off large very visible buildings.
On top was a picture of Lapid saying, in Hebrew, “you think you can rehabilitate us?” Underneath was a picture of Deri but I couldn’t see his quote.
Shas paid for these adds and in Tel Aviv and given the Tel Aviv mentality, it could only help Lapid, not Deri. What a foolish political move. You don’t give that kind of visibility to your “enemy.”
Funny, I always thought the most difficult test a Jew has to ultimately face is the one after 120 years. You know, the one that starts with, “Did you act truthfully in business”?
Most people have some difficulty with this, but politicians would seem to have more than most. I wonder which of these politicians will have the better answers on that ultimate test?
an Israeli Yid
#2 #3 #4
He did prove that the party could outlive it’s mentor and pass the
ultimate political test of mental toughness
Mazel tov aryeh!!!!