Restoring the 'Past Glory' Of the Israeli Shas Party

Aryeh Deri, the newly re-appointed head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, inherits a sacred movement which has lost its support base, writes Mazal Mualem.
Shas party leader Aryeh Deri (C) greets members of the Druze community during a campaign rally in the Druze village of Abu Snan, in northern Israel January 2, 2013. Disillusioned, disappointed and divided, Israeli Arab voters will traipse to the polls next week in ever dwindling numbers, aware that none of their community will have any say in how the country is run. In 2009 some Arab votes went to the Ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which campaigns openly in Israeli Arab towns, promising ever more generous welfa
Shas party leader Aryeh Deri (C) greets members of the Druze community during a campaign rally in the Druze village of Abu Snan, in northern Israel, Jan. 2, 2013. - REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Mazal Mualem
Mazal Mualem
@mazalm3
Read in 

“I want to return Shas to the citizens,” proclaimed new-old ultra-Orthodox Shas party Chairman Aryeh Deri, the morning after former Interior Minister Eli Yishai’s official dismissal from head of the movement on May 2.

In an interview with the army radio station, Deri sounds happy and self-confident, as befits one who realized a dream against all odds and now emerges ready to play the role of his life.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more