{
  "id": 2172471,
  "title": "Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef to lead Shas, participate in launch conference with Deri's approval - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/rabbi-yitzhak-yosef-to-lead-shas-participate-in-launch-conference",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T16:24:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-906132"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shas Party spiritual leader, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has been chosen by the Council of Elders head, Rabbi Moshe Maya, to lead the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) party, according to KAN News on Thursday. The selection took place amidst tensions between Yosef and Shas Party chairman, MK Arye Deri. Deri personally informed Yosef of the decision through a letter. It remains uncertain whether Yosef will be part of Shas's Knesset slate.\n\nThere is potential for a coalition with Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar Party, contingent on Yosef setting the tone. Yosef and Deri agreed that Yosef would attend the party's launch conference on Thursday, as reported by KAN. The decision followed Yosef's June comments criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that repentance is unlikely. He expressed hope that some might repent, including Eisenkot.\n\nA recent KAN poll predicts Shas to secure seven Knesset seats in the upcoming October elections. UTJ is projected to win eight seats, while Yashar leads Likud with 24 seats, following Likud's Monday primaries.",
  "summary": "Shas is expected to win seven seats in the upcoming October elections, according to a KAN poll published on Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef selected to lead Shas Party",
    "Decision made amidst tensions with Deri",
    "Yosef to attend Shas launch conference"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}