Shas

Mass voting scandal

Shas Activists Caught on Tape Guiding Voter Fraud

Recordings reveal how Shas activists used 'tiny scribbles' and more to cheat democracy, leaving Yachad around 11,000 votes short.

Sources: Things Coming Together for Netanyahu Govt. Deal

Prime Minister and Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu met with Kulanu head Moshe Kahlon for some three hours Sunday. An agreement may be near.

Scrambling Likud Resumes Coalition Talks

18 days after receiving the mandate to form a government, Likud hopes to finally concretize deals with both United Torah Judaism and Shas.

Source: Likud Ready to Announce Deal With Shas, UTJ

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is set to announce his first coalition agreement next week, sources in the Likud said.

Deri: Jewish Home Failed Us, Needs to Compromise

Promising to revitalize Shas' education network, Aryeh Deri charges haredim should get Religious Affairs Committee over Jewish Home.

Investigation into Shas Voting Fraud Takes Off

After witnesses claimed Shas paid them for votes, the Attorney General and Israel Police have been approached to start an investigation.

Voter fraud?

Report: Shas Bribed Citizens for Votes

Multiple witnesses claim Shas paid them up to 300 NIS for votes; one activist complicit in the bribery confirms; Shas denies involvement.

Shas Mega-Event Expected to Draw 'Thousands'

Chol HaMoed event expected to speak to the power of Shas, despite low seat turnout in elections.

Former Shas MK: Stop Eli Yishai Hate Before It's Too Late

Something must be done to bring the divisions between supporters of Aryeh Deri and Eli Yishai under control, says outgoing MK Nissim Ze'ev.

Jewish Home, Shas At War Over Ministries?

Tension builds between potential coalition partners as Shas asks to free Religious Affairs Ministry from Jewish Home 'imprisonment.'

Netanyahu Reportedly to Give Haredi Parties What They Want

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with haredi parties UTJ and Shas, indicating ministry allotment that may harm religious Zionist interests.

Netanyahu to Meet with Haredi Parties for Coalition Talks

Rumors abound that Netanyahu could give UTJ chairman Yaakov Litzman Health Ministry, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri Interior Ministry.

Three Arrested Over Molotov Cocktail Attack at Yachad Rally

One adult, two minors arrested on suspicions of launching Molotov cocktails at a Yachad rally outside of former MK Eli Yishai's home.

Lapid to Netanyahu: Choose Anyone But Deri as Minister

Former Finance Minister begs Netanyahu not to choose Deri for Interior Minister, cites Shas chairman's jail stint for corruption.

Yachad's Leading Rabbi Blames Shas for Elections Failure

Shas lied to the public to ensure Yachad's failure, Rabbi Meir Mazuz says; 'one day, all these lies will fall like a house of cards.'

Haredi Parties to Present Netanyahu with List of Demands

Shas and United Torah Judaism expected to request ministries they held in the past and demand that Lapid's "decrees" be cancelled.

Fictitious Party Meant to Harm Yachad, Rightist Coalition?

Yachad says Shas created 'straw party' with similar letters - formerly of Marzel's party - to defraud voters.

Petitions Filed Against 'Vote Shas and Go to Heaven' Campaign

Fliers featuring Chief Rabbi, lists of names for 'blessings' subject to scrutiny; Shas penalized for one ad campaign.

MK Litzman: We Will Undo the 'Damage' Lapid Did

Haredi parties hope to have a greater influence on the next government than they had on the previous ones, UTJ and Shas MKs said.

Yishai to Deri: Let's Work Together After Elections

With elections only one day away and after months of bitter tension, Yishai offers to work together with Deri, head of his former party.

Deri Denies Haaretz Claim He Will Sit in Leftist Government

Speaking to Army Radio, Shas head Aryeh Deri says under no circumstances will his party join a “leftist” government under Herzog.

Deri: We'll Support Netanyahu, There's No Other Scenario

Shas chairman says his party would support Netanyahu, calls him to form a coalition “which goes by Begin’s social guidelines."

'Deri Not the Only One Going Left if Herzog Gets More Votes'

Ze'ev, founder of Shas recently booted by Deri, says his party, UTJ, Kulanu, Yisrael Beytenu all set to go left if Labor gets upper hand.

Rabbi Ovadia's Son Refused to Sign Anti-Yishai Letter

Rabbi Moshe Yosef demanded – and received – the removal of attacks on Yishai from pro-Shas letter.

Deri: There Are 'Large Gaps' Between Us and the Left

Shas chairman says he's against splitting Jerusalem but would agree to evict "isolated settlements".

Rabbi Yosef's Daughter Clarifies: Shas is Leftist

Bar-Shalom fears 'radical right government,' says Shas will push for two-state solution peace deal, and blames Jews for Arab 'hatred.'

Shas Hotline Showcases Bitter Anger at Yishai

Shas hotline feature that allows callers to leave messages for friends filled with abuse against former Shas Chairman Eli Yishai.

Deri to Yishai: Recordings Don't Exist, So Pipe Down

After Yishai threatens to release clip that will bring Shas to its knees, party chair Aryeh Deri attacks him for continuing smear campaign.

Proof Rabbi Ovadia Was Coerced into Accepting Deri as Shas Head?

Rabbi Yoram Abarjel says that in a recording, Rabbi Ovadia says he was threatened into preferring Deri over Yishai.

Deri: 'Arrogant' Lapid Wants to Rehabilitate Me?

Shas Chairman says he prefers to recommend Netanyahu for prime minister, and will not sit in coalition with Yesh Atid and Joint Arab List.

Yisrael Beytenu Against Coalition with Haredi Parties

Yisrael Beytenu publication slams PM for approaching haredi parties, says benefits to pensioners, soldiers will be cut.

Eli Yishai: New Recordings Would Drop Shas from Knesset

Eli Yishai says new recordings of the late Rabbi are 'earth-shattering' and would cause Shas not to pass the threshold.

Rabbi Yosef Gave Yishai Permission to Form a New Party

New posthumous video reveals Shas spiritual leader on his hospital bed gave Yishai the go-ahead to form Ha'am Itanu.

Deri: We Support Netanyahu for Prime Minister

Shas chairman indicates he will recommend Netanyahu as Prime Minister after the elections on March 17.

Haredi Parties Battle for the Periphery

After Shas head Aryeh Deri attacked UTJ for trying to steal votes, MK Moshe Gafni responds that 'no place is a taboo' to seek out votes.

Students Call On Religious Political Leaders to Unite

Students in Israeli Religious Zionist high schools are demanding that the four religious parties running in this election unite.

Deri: We Have a Preference for Netanyahu

Shas Chairman acknowledges his public wants Netanyahu as PM, but said he will only join coalition that agrees to Shas' social demands.

Shas Spiritual Leader: Hatikva is a 'Stupid' Song

Shas mentor Rabbi Shalom Cohen says Rabbi Ovadia once stood when Hatikva was sung, but uttered a prayer instead.

Rabbi Yosef's Kids Refuse Deri's Request for Video of Him

Tension in Shas as Rabbi Yosef's children refuse to give video of him for campaign clip, with Deri appearing to be burning bridges.

Likud Emerges as Clear Front-Runner in New Poll

A new poll shows that recent trends indicating a strengthening of the Likud and a weakening of Jewish Home are continuing.

Ha'am Itanu Party's Holon Offices Vandalized

Officials of Yahad-Ha'am Itanu filed a complaint with police Wednesday over vandalism and damage to the party's headquarters in Holon.

Deri Says Shas 'Strives for Peace, Not Expelling Jews'

Aryeh Deri visits Gush Katif Museum and tells Arutz Sheva his party policy is to 'do everything to protect Jewish communities.'

Poll: One Third of Yishai's Voters Are Ashkenazim

If elections were held now, Eli Yishai's Yachad party would pass the minimum vote requirements, and get four seats.

In 'New' Video, Ovadia Yosef Praises Yishai, Not Deri

The battle of the “Rav Ovadia videos” in Shas continued Thursday, as a “new” video showed Rabbi Ovadia Yosef praising Eli Yishai.

Shas Waffles Over Participation in NIF-Backed Conference

Issues over extreme leftist group's involvement in conference still 'under review,' Deri's reps say.

Shas Promises to Avoid Propaganda in its Schools

After telling school directors they will be blessed for helping elections campaign, party promises to take it back following petition.

'Shas MKs Live Through Agony Every Day'

MK and Shas party founder Nissim Ze'ev reveals: Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri is 'obsessed' with control, slandering Eli Yishai.

Deri Ousts Shas Founder Nissim Ze'ev From List

Shas founder, considered rightist in the leftist-leaning haredi party, gets cut out despite promises as Knesset list finalizes.

Deri: I Call on Those who Left Shas to Come Back

Shas chairman calls on those who left the party to return - including Eli Yishai, who recently formed his own party.

Deri: There is No Sacred Covenant with the Right

During a panel discussion with fellow hareidi MKs, Aryeh Deri discusses his feud with Eli Yishai and plans for the next Knesset.

'Submissive' Deri Officially Returns to Head Shas

It's official: after two weeks away in a measured ploy to gain backing and overcome damaging recordings, Deri is back at the helm of Shas.

End of the Stunt: Deri's Back at the Helm of Shas

Shas MKs have been summoned to a meeting at the party HQ, in which Aryeh Deri will announce his return.

Shas Chief Rabbi Tells Deri: You Can't Quit, Come Back

Rabbi Shalom Cohen, head of the Shas Council of Torah Sages, instructs Aryeh Deri to return to lead the party.

State Allocates $500K to Fortify Synagogues Against Rocket Fire

Deputy Religious Affairs Minister blames Shas for lagging behind in fortifying religious buildings.

UTJ Not Impressed with Hareidi Unity Offer

Source in Ashkenazi hareidi party says unity talk is an attempt by Aryeh Deri to shift attention from his party's woes.

Deri Hints at Return to Shas

In a television interview, Aryeh Deri hints he is returning to lead Shas, but doesn't say it outright.

Poll: United Hareidi Party Would Win 20 Seats

If Shas, Ha'am Itanu and United Torah Judaism run together as one party, they could win 20 seats, finds Makor Rishon poll.

Deri Reportedly to Return to Shas Next Week

Shas head resigned Tuesday amid recording scandal, now to return in PR ploy; tells supporters in protest tent 'we'll continue together.'

Deri-Yishai Squabble Illustrates Shas Power-Vacuum

Dr. Nissim Leon says Aryeh Deri's resignation the result of a crisis of religious authority, created with the passing of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Shas MK: Don't Worry, We Will Survive Without Deri

If the resignation of Aryeh Deri was undertaken to show how badly Shas needs him, it isn't working, MK Nissim Ze'ev said.