Jerusalem, 8 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has withdrawn from the party’s Knesset list and will not serve in the 26th Knesset, following the party’s disappointing election results. MKs Moshe Abutbul and Dror Amos have also withdrawn, with MKs Uriel Buso and Yossi Taieb set to enter parliament in their places.
Shas suffered a major electoral setback, losing half its representation and falling from 12 seats to six in the October 27 election, amid a difficult campaign that Deri blamed on pressure and incitement against the movement.
On Thursday, Deri broke his prolonged silence at a special faction meeting in Jerusalem, addressing the difficult election campaign and what he described as a campaign of pressure and incitement against the movement.
Deri will continue leading Shas without serving as a lawmaker.
