Former Shas party leader Eli Yishai spoke to Kol Berama Radio, addressing that when he received control of the Shas party in the 1990s, the party was devastated. He used the air time interview to blast current leader Aryeh Deri, adding when he inherited the leadership of the party it came with a staggering NIS 150 million debt and the Yom L’Yom newspaper was collapsing as was the Mayan Chinuch education network.

Yishai added that Deri was preoccupied with his trials and there was no leader; and he inherited a party that was limping to survive.

Yishai’s harsh commentary on Deri’s leadership came in response to Deri’s comments that Yishai’s establishment of the Yachad party has led to a diminished Shas party since votes were wasted at the polls.

Yishai was quick to add “When there is an increase in the number of seats he takes the credit but when there is a decline, it is someone else”.

Yishai insists it is not a matter of bad blood between them but it surrounds the fact that Deri did not permit anyone to speak when he was in charge and following his attack, he is compelled to explain the facts.

On Friday, Deri was interviewed by Benny Rabinovich on Kol Chai Radio, using the interview to speak out against Yishai for challenging his leadership and claiming to lead the true followers of Maran when everyone knows it is Shas alone that continues Maran’s tradition.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)