Shas Leader Aryeh Deri Weighs Political Future After Election Setback

Shas is coming to terms with its defeat in the recent Knesset elections, which saw its representation plummet from 11 mandates in the previous parliament to just six seats. This outcome returns the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic party to its historical roots, echoing its performance in the 1992 elections shortly after its establishment.

Party leader Aryeh Deri has remained out of the public eye since the election results were announced, reportedly weighing his political future at his home. Among the options under consideration are complete retirement from political life, resigning from the Knesset while retaining the party chairmanship from outside the parliament, or assuming a symbolic presidential role while another figure manages day-to-day operations.

In response to the crisis, senior party rabbis have visited Deri's home to offer support and are currently drafting a letter led by Rabbi Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Council of Torah Sages. The letter is expected to issue a formal religious directive demanding that Deri remain at the helm of Shas.

Political observers note parallels to the 2015 elections, when Deri briefly offered his resignation following the leak of a recording involving the late spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. At that time, the Council of Torah Sages rejected his resignation, and Deri ultimately returned to lead the movement into the elections.