MK Eli Yishai is leaving the Shas movement, according to sources close to him. Yishai served as Shas’ chairman for years, until the political comeback of MK Aryeh Deri, his rival.
At present, it is not clear what his plans are for the near future. There appear to be several options: he may establish a party with Minister Uri Ariel, who is threatening to leave the Jewish Home; he may form a Sephardic hareidi party that will be a direct competitor to Shas, or he may quit politics altogether.
In recent years, and especially since the passing of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ztz”l, Deri has been doing all he could to force Yishai out of the party, sources close to Yishai told Arutz Sheva.
The Council of Torah Sages has become a political body under Deri’s control instead of a spiritual rabbinical body as it was when Shas was founded, they said.
Yishai will call a press conference Sunday or soon thereafter and announce his plans.
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