The ongoing discord between Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri and his predecessor, MK Eli Yishai, has sent the ultra-Orthodox Sephardi party into a tailspin so severe it may cause it to split, party insiders said Thursday, adding that senior Shas MKs have been trying to negotiate a truce between the two, so not to impeded the party's chances in the 2015 elections. Rabbi Shimon Baadani, who serves on the Shas Council of Torah Sages, met with both Deri and Yishai throughout the week in an effort to resolve the feud. Deri reportedly wants Yishai seek his permission before any interaction with the media, and that he recognize the Council of Torah Sages as the only body that could issue binding decrees for the party. Deri further demands that Yishai confirm, in writing, that any violation of these demands would result in his immediate dismissal from the party. "Deri is doing everything within his power to humiliate Yishai. Since when does the former party chairman need to ask anyone's permission to speak about his activities-" an associate of Yishai's told Israel Hayom. The list of demands Deri had asked Baadani to convey to Yishai "was just a small part of the ongoing humiliation Deri subjects him to. He's practically placing a noose around Yishai's neck and asking him to jump. These are not the actions of a man who seeks peace within the party. He only has only one goal -- to kick Yishai out of Shas." Deri and Yishai are scheduled to meet in the coming days, but Yishai's associates have made no secret of the fact that if things continue as they are, a split within the party would be inevitable. One of the options said to be explored by the former Shas chairman is joining forces with MK Uri Ariel (Habayit Hayehudi). Ariel, whose National Union party merged with the National Religious party to form Habayit Hayehudi, is reportedly considering leaving the party over his ideological disagreements with Chairman Naftali Bennett. Sources in Habayit Hayehudi said that despite reports suggesting the two were close to reaching an agreement that would facilitate their parties' union ahead of the 2015 elections, their negotiations were deadlocked. Should Ariel and Yishai split from their parties and form a new party, Habayit Hayehudi MK Yoni Chetboun would likely join them.
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שיתוף כתבה
Shas turmoil sends party into tailspin
Tensions between Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, his predecessor MK Eli Yishai reach boiling point • Party insiders say split may be inevitable • Yishai may join forces with MK Uri Ariel, who is reportedly mulling split from Habayit Hayehudi, to form new party.