Senior Shas official: Deri and Netanyahu spoke several times – 'Relations are good'

A senior Shas official said that party chairman Aryeh Deri and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken several times recently, and that relations between them are good. The comments come amid reports of a rift between the Haredi factions and the prime minister. Shas faction members arrived for a meeting with Netanyahu, which dealt with the 'terror ballot boxes' affair. The coalition sought to hold an orderly discussion on the matter in the Elections Committee, but Judge Solberg did not allow it at this stage. Political sources assess that the decision will lead to continued engagement with the issue. The meeting is seen as a signal that the connection between the sides continues, at least on coalition matters. Shas and the Prime Minister's Office did not provide an official response regarding the content of the meeting.