Ultra-Orthodox Shas unveils election slate, IDF major on reserve in sixth spot

Shas unveiled its candidate list for the 26th Knesset on Tuesday, following internal deliberations over significant changes to its parliamentary composition. Party leader Aryeh Deri and the Council of Torah Sages settled for a more moderate update, retaining most of the core team, while adding two new faces to the slate.

Notably, Lt.-Col. (Res.) Dror Amos, a retired IDF lieutenant colonel and head of the Haifa Religious Services Board, secured the sixth position. Amos established an organization aiding bereaved families with religious funeral customs and spearheaded a campaign for Kaddish prayers to be recited for victims of the October 7 attack.

Previously considered for the spot was Yossi Levi, CEO of the ultra-Orthodox military unit Netzach Yehuda, but Amos was ultimately chosen. Deri had previously mentioned Amos by saying, "Enjoy him while you can; I don’t know how much longer he will stay with you."

This placement indicates the significance Shas places on his military background. The sixth spot is virtually guaranteed, making the party's ticket a strong suit for religious voters. The election campaign's focus on military conscription for ultra-Orthodox citizens further justifies Amos' high position.

In the top tier, Yinon Azoulay, who was seventh in the 2022 elections, has been moved up to second place. He is followed by Michael Malkiel, Yoav Ben-Tzur, and Chaim Biton.

Azoulay's ascent to second place solidifies his role as the party's second-in-command. The rearrangement was possible after the departures of Yaakov Margi and Moshe Arbel, who held the second and sixth positions, respectively.

Another new addition is Yosef Elnatanov, representing the Bukharan Jewish community, placed 11th. His inclusion maintains Shas' tradition of allocating seats to specific ethnic communities within its core voter base.