Shas

Shas Coalition Deal Includes Synagogues, Haredi Housing

Shas has succeeded in 'rolling back the clock' on many of the 'edicts' from the previous government, its coalition agreement shows.

Herzog: PM Dug Himself a Pit, I Will Not Throw Him a Rope

Labor leader Yitzhak Herzog insists Netanyahu should not count on him to bail out latest government when push comes to shove.

Lapid: 'Suckers' Lose Again as Yeshiva Students to Get IDF Pass

Yesh Atid MKs and supporters conducted a protest against the expected repeal of sanctions on yeshiva students who don't serve in the IDF.

Shas, Likud Sign Coalition Agreement

Under agreement, Deri to be appointed Economy Minister; Shas to receive two Ministries and several deputy positions.

Jewish Home, Shas Mulling Deal to 'Split' Religious Affair Min.

Who will be in charge of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has become the last major sticking point for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Clock Ticking on Coalition Talks

As deadline looms, Likud's major problem is finding a solution to Religious Affairs debate as well as keeping Yisrael Beytenu in line.

Deri: I Will Not Accept a Deputy Minister from Jewish Home

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri says Religious Affairs Ministry will remain squarely in hands of Shas, with no interference from Jewish Home.

Netanyahu, Deri Set to Meet: Deal Imminent?

After deals were closed with UTJ and Kulanu, Shas appears to be next to sign onto Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's new government.

Source: Plenty of 'Jobs' Left for Likud MKs

Likud MKs have expressed concern that there will be nothing left over for them - but a party source promised them at least 12 ministries.

Aryeh Deri Drops Demand for Interior Ministry

Shas head convicted of bribery during his last interior ministry stint tell Army Radio he's giving up on the ministry 'to prevent slander.'

Deri and Bennett Continue to Feud Over Religion Ministry

With UTJ and Kulanu on board, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu turns his attention to finishing off deals with Shas and Jewish Home.

Source: Netanyahu Has Had It 'Up to Here' With Shas, Jewish Home

With less than a week to go before his deadline, PM Netanyahu is said to be ready to give up on deals with Aryeh Deri and Naftali Bennett.

Shas Levels its Demands to Return to Coalition Talks

Deri tells press conference he won't return to talks with Likud without at 0% VAT on basic goods and a 'social toolbox,' after UTJ deal.

Deri-Yishai Saga in Shas Continues Even Post-Elections

Parliamentary aide asserts that boss, Shas MK Yaakov Margi, will not receive ministerial role because of aide's own relation to Eli Yishai.

Deri Refuses to Accept Economy Ministry

After complaining that Netanyahu had not given him a concrete offer on the Interior Ministry, Deri refuses to accept Economy Ministry.

Did Deri Just Threaten to Abandon Bibi for Buji?

Claiming he has not received a conclusive ministry offer from Netanyahu, Shas head Aryeh Deri says he's weighing his next steps.

Netanyahu Faces Uphill Battle to Form Coalition

Likud presents two initiatives Kulanu opposes and conflict continues over religious affairs post, leaving Netanyahu with mess on his hands.

Shas MK: Government Will be Formed, Despite Misgivings

Shas MK Yaakov Margi is very optimistic that things will work out with all of the Likud's “natural partners."

Sealing the deal?

Netanyahu Offers Aryeh Deri Transportation Ministry

PM makes offer apparently meant to work out conflict between Deri and Kahlon, and seal Kulanu coalition deal.

With Shas, UTJ, and Kulanu On Board, How Can PM Finalize Gov't?

Shas, UTJ, and Kulanu all close to a final deal with Likud - leaving Netanyahu with two main options to concretize his fourth government.

Will Increasing Number of Ministers Affect Coalition Talks?

Despite opposition from most parties, it remains unlikely Likud's wise to raise number of ministerial posts will blow up negotiations.

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.