Not offering any real explanation, Shas Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael Secretary Rabbi Raphael Pinchasi insists that an audio tape of him speaking against Aryeh Deri is not authentic, insisting the words heard in his voice questioning Deri’s authority and policies were not uttered by him. The tape, played on Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) has Pinchasi saying that when it comes to Deri, “Everything is one big bluff”.

He adds that while Deri was given authority to deal with the Shas election campaign, “the real authority remains with Eli Yishai”.

Pinchasi adds that the authority given to Deri pertains to the “faction and not the party”, adding “the difference between the two is significant. When it comes to running the party, the power was and remains with Yishai”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)