The 20th Knesset elections have passed and communications has broken down between Shas leader Aryeh Deri and former party leader Eli Yishai, with the latter being out of Knesset as his Yachad party failed to pass the minimum threshold.

Deri last week told Channel 10 News that he approached Eli Yishai, offering to cover his debts from the elections and take him back and appoint him to a senior post, providing a fresh start to permit working side-by-side once again.

Persons close to Yishai tell the media this just is not so, that Deri never offered to wipe out Yishai’s debts, adding “and even if he did, Eli is not for sale”.

Yishai responded to Channel 10, explaining since Deri made his statements he has received queries asking how he turned down such an offer.

Yishai explained “I have explained countless times that our paths differ as Deri is as leftist in his hashkafa and I am deep in the right. He believes in running the show and turning MKs into puppets while I support freedom of thought, permitting MKs to act independently. I believe this was Shas’ success when I ran and built up the party. His zero accomplishments during this term indicate that he paralyzed his MKs as he runs the party as a dictator. I am a straight and moral person and Deri has his way”.

Yishai added that Deri does not permit MKs and cabinet ministers to grant media interviews on Kol Berama since he is friendly with the owner. “This is just a small glimpse at Deri’s efforts to make peace”, adding Deri and his followers have threatened businesses who are advertising on the radio station and how Margi’s spokesperson was dismissed because he is related to me…”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)