Shas party chairman, Minister Aryeh Deri, admitted on Thursday, that the veto of Eli Yishai of the Yachad party becoming a cabinet minister was his doing, as alleged by Yishai. Deri told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he would not accept appointing Yishai to a cabinet post, bringing an end to Yishai’s chances of serving as a minister in the 21st Knesset. Deri admitted to his actions during a Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) interview on Thursday, March 28, 2019.
Deri said the move to drop out and HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz Shlita, Rosh Yeshivat Kisei Rachamim throwing his support behind Yahadut Hatorah was a wise move rather than tens of thousands of votes being trashed. “They are a part of us, and their institutions are with us, and I will continue seeing to their needs. What occurred yesterday was a revenge move, nothing more, but I am busy addressing the needs of the Sephardim and they are one of us and I will continue taking care of them” he explained, referring to Rav Mazuz backing the Ashkenazi Sephardi party, not Shas.
Deri blames Yishai, explaining he left Shas and he left his senior position. He accuses him of going against the party of HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L.
Earlier in the day, during an interview with Yaron Dekel on KAN Reshet Bet Radio, he explained that PM Netanyahu promised to appoint him to the cabinet if he joined the United Right-Wing list, but it was torpedoed by Deri, who vetoed the possibility, explaining to PM Netanyahu Shas will not enter the coalition if Yishai is appointed to the cabinet.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
So Deri would have sat in the opposition rather than see Yishai in politics. He prioritized blocking Yishai over providing for the Sephardim. We know from his previous decisions that he is happy to sit with the Left if it means providing for Sephardim. But now we see that he would sit with the left if it means hurting Yishai and his followers. Well, at least in this scenario he is honest.