Deri Reportedly Tells Associates He Plans to Step Down as Shas Leader

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri reportedly told associates on Thursday that he intends to step down from leading the party after its disappointing election showing. Senior rabbis were reported to be trying to persuade him to remain, as the movement faced uncertainty over its leadership following the vote. The reported discussions involved Chief Rabbi David Yosef and Council of Torah Sages members Rabbi Moshe Salim, Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel and Rabbi Yehuda Cohen. They sought to visit Deri at his home during the day and urge him to reconsider. In the accounts of those conversations, Deri explained his intention by saying, “I am tired of leading the movement.” His remarks were reported from private discussions rather than issued as a public resignation statement. Deri was also reported to have said that he had considered leaving before the election and that the result reinforced that intention. The reports described an effort by the spiritual leadership to change his mind, rather than a completed transfer of authority to a successor. In an official election-night message posted early on 28 October, Deri thanked voters, the Council of Torah Sages, rabbis, representatives and activists. He said the exit polls differed widely and urged waiting for the actual results, while maintaining that his information pointed to a very good result for Shas.