How Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas Party lost its way - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Mazal Mualem

Mazal Mualem

Nov 8, 2017

Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas, attends a meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, Sept. 13, 2017. — REUTERS/Ammar Awad

עִברִית

The rise and fall of Israel's ultra-Orthodox party

Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Israel's President Shimon Peres (2nd L) meets Aryeh Deri (L), Eli Yishai and Ariel Attias (R), leaders of the religious Shas party, at his residence in Jerusalem January 31, 2013. Peres began talks with political parties on Wednesday over who should form a new government and appears certain to ask incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assemble it. REUTERS/Sebastian Scheiner/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3D6U4

Israel's Shas Party at Crossroads

Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

An ultra-Orthodox Jew places a sticker that depicts Shas party leader Aryeh Deri onto a campaign banner depicting Am Shalem party leader Haim Amsalem during an annual pilgrimage to the gravesite of Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, a Moroccan-born sage and kabbalist also known as the Baba Sali, in the southern town of Netivot January 14, 2013. A fixture in successive governments, the ultra-Orthodox Shas party draws its support from the fast-growing community of religious Jews of Middle Eastern origin whose spiritu

Rabbi Amsalem Offers Alternative For Israeli Voters

Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Aryeh Deri (C), leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, attends an annual pilgrimage to the gravesite of Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, a Moroccan-born sage and kabbalist also known as the Baba Sali, in the southern town of Netivot January 14, 2013. Powerful political players for years, Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties must now reckon with a new force ushered in by voters bent on stripping them of perks they have relied on for decades. Picture taken January 14, 2013. REUTERS/Amir Cohen (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS

Sephardic party turns to Ashkenazi leaders for help

Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics