Peak tension in Shas: Deri expected to decide whether to resign - and will not be sworn in as the 26th Knesset member

Shas party is awaiting Aryeh Deri's decision on whether to resign from the Knesset and not be sworn in as the 26th Knesset member. His family members said he is leaning toward resigning but remaining in a role outside the list, perhaps as "President of Shas." Ariel Attias is a candidate to replace him. Shas dropped from 11 seats to 6.

In the Shas party and rabbinical homes, they are awaiting the decision of party chairman Aryeh Deri on whether to resign from the Knesset and not be sworn in as the 26th Knesset member. The decision is expected to be made as early as this evening (Saturday). Deri's family members said he is leaning toward resigning from the Knesset but remaining in another role outside the list, perhaps as "President of Shas." If he resigns, the name emerging as a replacement is Ariel Attias, who is expected to serve as faction chairman. The move comes two days after the vote count, when Shas dropped from 11 seats in the previous elections to just six, losing about one hundred thousand supporters.