Shas ruling council rejects Deri resignation despite poor election result

The Sephardi Haredi Shas party’s ruling Council of Torah Sages has rejected party chair Aryeh Deri’s reported attempt to resign, even though the party shrank in last week’s election and will have just six seats in the Knesset.

Deri, who has led Shas for decades, aside from a period when he went to prison for corruption, was reported to have submitted his resignation following the result. But after holding a conference call, the council reportedly decided to keep him on, though it is weighing having him step down from serving in the Knesset.

In its statement, the council says Deri’s resignation request caused it “great pain,” adding that he has “devoted himself and made sacrifices his whole life for the public and for the Torah.”

Referring to the ongoing debate over Haredi military service, which Shas opposes, the statement says its “most experienced general is needed to win the battle.”

The council forbids Deri from leaving his role.

In a statement in response, Deri says, “I hereby accept [the ruling] without hesitation or doubt, and thank our sages for the trust and support they have given me every step of the way.”