Shas Knesset faction chairman MK Yinon Azoulay on Wednesday evening outlined his party's political principles ahead of the upcoming elections.
In an extensive interview with Kol Hai Radio, Azoulay made clear that despite the changing dynamics of Israeli politics, Shas's natural and exclusive place remains in the right-wing bloc.
"We are in the right-wing bloc. The person who currently heads the bloc is Benjamin Netanyahu, and if we can do everything to ensure that the right-wing bloc wins, then of course we will do everything," Azoulay stressed.
Azoulay was also asked about the possibility of a future alliance or cooperation with Gadi Eisenkot, an option he rejected outright.
According to Azoulay, although Eisenkot is someone who has contributed to the country, the people surrounding him make cooperation impossible. "Eisenkot - maybe he is nice, maybe he is a good person, maybe he is a person who did things for the country... but there are people around him who are bad people."
Later in the interview, Azoulay sharply criticized the judicial system following remarks by Supreme Court Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit during a hearing concerning opening frequencies to haredi radio stations. During the hearing, Amit commented that many members of the haredi public have both a kosher phone and a smartphone.
He also noted that such remarks illustrate the deep disconnect between the courts and the haredi community's way of life and explain the roots of the community's lack of faith in the judicial system.
"One thing is certain: I'm not speaking out of ignorance," Azoulay said. "He simply exposed his own ignorance, exposed his hostility."