Shas on Tuesday took a lesson from the secular parties, deciding to hold a formal press conference, which took place during the morning hours in Beit Knesset Yechavei Da’as in Jerusalem’s Har Nof section.

The election campaign is being handled by the Afikim PR firm and the responsibility for the chareidi sector falls on the shoulders of Ariel Deri, an aide to Minister Meshulum Nahari and a close colleague of party leader Eli Yishai.

Deri, an attorney by training, explained he is heading the chareidi sector campaign since he has a thorough understanding that Shas is the only party that has genuinely proven itself and delivered to the chareidi community.

Deri emphasized he is turning to the entire chareidi community, including Ashkenazim, stating the budgets and assistance that Shas has succeeded in obtaining over the years went to all chareidim. The party he explains receives thousands of requests and party ministers continue efforts to assist everyone equally, without any difference between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. Funds for avreichim in kollelim continue today only due to Shas’ successful efforts he added.

When asked if Shas was targeting United Torah Judaism voters, he responded “no”, stating the party will not actively seek to pull voters away. “In addition” he stated, Shas will not be dragged into responding to allegations being leveled against the party in the campaign, pointing out that just this week, the finance minister told Eli Yishai that the cost of the war will compel the government to cut NIS 20 billion from the state budget. “It is clear to all that some of this will come from budgets for yeshivas and kollelim, and only Shas has the ability to stop this from happening”.

Deri called on UTJ to learn from Shas’ example regarding party unity. He went on to point out that Shas did not join a Livni-led cabinet because the premiership hopeful announced she would hold negotiations regarding the future of Yerushalayim. “Shas voted against freeing Palestinian prisoners too, not receiving anything in return on the government level. Shas also opposed the disengagement.” All the while Shas remained in the Olmert government because his talks of negotiating on Yerushalayim were nothing more than speculation but when this moves to the stage of reality chas v’sholom, Shas will never remain in such a government.

“Even the dati leumi camp is divided without real representation and Shas can be a solution here too.”

Regarding social issues, with war behind us explained Deri; the party is once again focusing on the alarming rate of poverty in Eretz Yisrael, always seeking ways to assist those in need.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)