Uncertainty still reigns in Shas

Murmurings of discontent continue to emanate from the Shas movement following the death of spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

By JEREMY SHARON
Shas's Arye Deri, Eli Yishai shake hands 370 (photo credit: Shas handout)
Shas's Arye Deri, Eli Yishai shake hands 370
(photo credit: Shas handout)
Murmurings of discontent continue to emanate from the Shas movement following the death of spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
Following complaints by associates of former party chairman MK Eli Yishai that Arye Deri, the recently installed chairman, had unduly taken control of Tuesday’s funeral procession and eulogies, it was reported on Thursday that Yosef’s sons had spoken pointedly with Yishai and told him to put an end to any activity that might reflect disunity within the Shas movement.
Several members of the Yosef family accosted Yishai on Wednesday morning, Ma’ariv reported. They were angry at complaints from Yishai associates and accused him of trying to split the party.
Yishai said the comments were made without his knowledge and that he was committed to party unity.
A Shas source told The Jerusalem Post that the general feeling in the movement was one of uncertainty regarding the party’s future and its leadership.
One of the central issues that Shas will need to address is who will be appointed to the Council of Torah Sages, the body which under Yosef ruled on all major policy decisions, now that he has died.
It must also be decided who, if anyone, will be appointed council president.
Speaking to the Post, Shas MK Nissim Ze’ev said that although a lacuna had been created in the party’s decision-making process by Yosef’s death, the Council of Torah Sages was still authorized to rule on the most crucial and serious issued that might be placed before it.
He noted that decisions and legislation of a less critical nature was generally not brought before the council for discussion and that the party’s MKs would continue to deal with such issues within the political faction.
“If there are disagreements between the politicians then such issues will be brought before the council for a ruling,” Ze’ev said.