Clash at the top of Shas: Deri's ultimatum and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's decision - "I don't interfere in elections" | First publication

Peak tension at the top of Shas: Deri tried to reach a compromise with the camp of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's supporters, but backed down at the last moment from an agreement that granted the rabbi the status of de facto president. Now he has issued an ultimatum until Thursday, the campaign launch date, demanding to know if the rabbi will mobilize to support the party. The assessment: the rabbi is not expected to assist the campaign.

Peak tension at the top of Shas ahead of the election campaign: party chairman Aryeh Deri tried in recent days to bring about internal calm and a compromise with the camp of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's supporters, who demand granting the rabbi the reins of sole leadership of the movement. At the center of the efforts was a compromise proposal initiated by the chairman's brother, Momo Deri: instead of the title "President of the Council," Deri would sign a clause to be embedded in the party's constitution, according to which all Torah rulings would be made by Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef - a status of de facto president, without the official title. But at the last moment, just before the signing, Deri backed down and refused to approve the move. Now Deri has issued an ultimatum until Thursday - the launch date of Shas's election campaign - demanding to know whether Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef will join the campaign and call on the public to support the party. For now, the assessment is that following the breakdown of talks, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is not expected to intervene politically in the upcoming election campaign and will not assist the Shas campaign.