The Minister for Religious Affairs MK David Azoulay of Shas has told Kikar Shabbat news agency that he is considering resigning his spot in the Knesset in favor of his son Yanun, who would be appointed to replace him. Yanun, is currently number 16 on Shas’s list for the Knesset.

Assuming Azoulay decides to resign his position, he will not do so in accordance with the Norwegian Law, which allows a Minister or Deputy Minister to step down from their Knesset position but maintain their ministerial duties.

Yanun currently serves as the assistant to Shas’s Chairman and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. The move has been speculated upon for several months, but each time the rumors creep up, Azoulay has denied them.

Three months ago the rumors came to the fore amid a political uproar in the party. Numerous high ranking officials in the Shas party told reporters that Azoulay was going to resign due to his previous medical conditions and that his son would take over. The announcement was made without corroboration from the Minister who vehemently denied it when he was confronted with the story.

MK Yaakov Margi attacked the leadership due to their treatment of Azoulay saying that what was done to him was “comparable to murder”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)