Aryeh Deri resigns from Shas leadership after electoral defeat

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri submitted a resignation letter to the Council of Torah Sages after the party won 6 seats in the election, down from 11. Sources differ on whether he seeks to leave the Knesset only or also the party leadership.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri today submitted to the party's Council of Torah Sages a letter of resignation from the Knesset and from the party leadership, following the election defeat in which Shas won 6 seats compared to 11 in the previous elections. Deri told his associates in the past week that he is disappointed with the election results, hurt by the public's attitude, and tired of political life. However, sources in Shas estimate that behind the move is Deri's desire to regain the trust of the public leadership. According to assessments, Deri is asking the rabbis to approve his resignation from both positions, expecting that they will approve his resignation from the Knesset only but will demand that he continue to serve as Shas chairman. In such a scenario, Deri will be able to remain at the head of the party with renewed backing from the Council of Torah Sages.