Deri: 'Shas will continue to be by Netanyahu's side'

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri reiterates his ultra-Orthodox Shas party’s allegiance to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and dismisses speculation since last week’s elections that he could join a government led by the centrist Blue and White party.

“I’m sorry to disappoint everyone. Shas will continue to be by Netanyahu’s side. Period,” Deri is quoted by Hebrew media telling a Shas faction meeting.

Commenting on punditry that noticed his absence from meetings between right-wing and religious party leaders during which they agreed to act a single “bloc” in coalition talks and only recommend Netanyahu for premier, Deri says the pact was in fact his idea.