Shas
Encyclopedia : S : SH : SHA : Shas
| Shas | |
|---|---|
| |
| Leader | Eli Yishai |
| Founded | 1984 by Ovadia Yosef and Elazar Shach |
| Headquarters | ? |
| Number of MPs at height of power | 17 (1999) |
| Current number of MPs | 12 (2006) |
| Political ideology | Religious socialism Anti-classism |
| International affiliation | |
| European affiliation | |
| Colour(s) | |
| Website | [shasnet.org.il] |
| See also the Politics of Israel series | |
As a result of the 2006 elections, Shas has 12 seats in the Knesset and is tied with Likud for the third-highest number of seats. Following the election, Shas joined the governing coalition and holds four cabinet posts. Its current leader, Eli Yishai, is a deputy prime minister.
History
Shas was founded in 1984 prior to the 1984 election, through the merger of regional lists established in 1983. The party was formed under the leadership of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (a former Israeli Chief rabbi), who remains its spiritual leader today. In founding the party, Rabbi Yosef received strategic help and guidance from Rabbi Elazar Shach (1898-2001), the leader of Israel's non-Hasidic Haredi Ashkenazi Jews (known as the "Mitnagdim" by some.)
The party was mired in scandal after the indictment and subsequent conviction and imprisonment of its former party leader, Aryeh Deri, on corruption charges in 1999. While Rabbi Yosef distanced the party from Deri and installed Yishai as the new party head, many Shas voters saw Deri as the victim of a racist political witch-hunt and continue to support him.
Following Deri's conviction, Shas gained 17 seats in the election of 1999, its strongest showing since its formation. Its strength was reduced to 11 seats in the 2003 election, and in the 2006 elections it added one seat for a total of 12 in the current Knesset.
Shas is known for its opposition to removal of religious functions and restrictions of the state, and support for generous social payments. Its views on policy toward the Palestinians has been relatively flexible, thus often allowing it to control the balance of power between Israel's larger parties, Labour and Likud, now joined by Kadima.
Election for 17th Knesset (2006)
Twelve Shas candidates were elected to the 17th Knesset:
- Eli Yishai
- Yitzhak Cohen
- Amnon Cohen
- Meshulam Nahari
- Ariel Atias
- Shlomo Benizri
- David Azoulay
- Yitzhak Vaknin
- Nissim Ze'ev
- Ya'akov Margi
- Chaim Amsalam
- Avraham Michaeli
Joining Government
Shas is part of the current governing coalition, installed on May 4, 2006, which also includes the larger Kadima and Labour parties, and the smaller Gil party. In the new government, Shas party leader Yishai is Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, and Deputy Prime Minister. Also in the cabiner are Atiyas as Minister of Communications, and Nahari and Yitzhak Cohen as Ministers Without Portfolio.
External links
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