Arye Deri

Rabbi Arye Deri is a longtime Israeli lawmaker and is the head of the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox Shas Party.

Having served in the past in multiple ministerial roles such as interior minister, health minister, deputy prime minister, economy minister, and religious services minister, Deri's career has also been hounded by numerous accusations of corruption.

He has been convicted on multiple charges throughout his tenure in politics, and most recently was stripped of his posts as health minister and interior minister following a ruling by the High Court of Justice due to these positions being a violation of a plea bargain he had made.

Israel's post-holiday politics: Will Netanyahu take a political hit to keep coalition intact?

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: With Shas out of the government, Netanyahu faces a decision between taking a hit to maintain the coalition or preparing for the upcoming elections.

Even as Shas followed United Torah Judaism’s lead and declared on Wednesday it was leaving the government, it did so with a major caveat: ‘We are leaving the government, but we are not quitting the coalition.’ Here, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits alongside Shas chairman Arye Deri in 2023.
 Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Yuli Edelstein speaks at the Muni Expo 2025 conference in Tel Aviv, on July 15, 2025.

'My conscience is clear': Why MK Yuli Edelstein won't settle for a soft haredi draft - interview

 ARYE DERI is escorted outside his home in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, Shas's Arbel rescinds resignation

 Families of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip and activists protest at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, May 5, 2025

Israeli gov't no longer has mandate to avoid October 7 state probe, bereaved parents say


Shas spiritual council to rule on leaving Netanyahu gov't on Wednesday

The ultra-Orthodox party's council said that Wednesday's meeting comes in the wake of "severe and unacceptable harm to the status of Torah students.”

Shas faction leader MK Arye Deri seen outside the party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

United Torah Judaism announces decision to quit gov't, coalition

The Sephardi haredi party Shas remained mum on Monday about whether or not it would join UTJ.

MK Moshe Gafni speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

Arye Deri denies telling Shas MKs to prepare to leave gov't coalition in coming days

Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported the claim earlier on Sunday evening, but it was later denied by a spokesperson from Deri's office.

 Shas party leader MK Arye Deri after a meeting on the haredi draft bill in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025.

Families of Oct. 7 victims blast Arye Deri for saying Hamas massacre ‘saved Israel’

The October Council, an NGO that represents over 1,500 families of victims called Deri’s comments a “slap in the face.”

Shas chairman Arye Deri.

Israel's seven-member National Security Cabinet met regularly to discuss Iran strike, source says

The seven were the only cabinet members who knew about the expected strike prior to the full cabinet meeting on Thursday evening.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Israel Katz attend a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025.

Prove Israel's progressiveness by preventing violent acts - editorial

The warning signs are no longer warnings - they are violent actions. Words can kill.

 A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish man holds a placard next to a police horse as he takes part in a protest against pressure to conscript into the military in Bnei Brak, Israel, June 5, 2025. The words in Hebrew read "We will not enlist in the enemy army."

Road to elections? Shas, Degel Hatorah will vote to dissolve Knesset, parties say

"The ultra-Orthodox public feels persecuted by the Likud and [MK Yuli] Edelstein," the Shas spokesperson said.

Shas faction leader MK Arye Deri seen outside the party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Three steps ahead: How Edelstein outmaneuvered everyone and is positioned to save Israel - opinion

Perhaps, right now, we are witnessing the redemption of the man who was shot in the first act but storms back in the final act with a submachine gun, to save what’s left of Israel.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 10, 2025.

Arson attack highlights IDF draft law, calls for unity

A rabbi added, “This will not divide us; no one will ever divide us. We are one nation. We have faced many challenges and will face more, but we will get through this by loving each other.”

 Head of Shas Aryeh Deri and spiritual leader of Shas Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef arrive at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 08, 2025.

High Court issues order asking gov't to explain lack of draft orders issued to haredim

Additionally, the IDF is demanding legislative changes that would lighten the load on reservists.

 Haredi men are seen protesting the effort to draft ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the IDF.

Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur signs minimum wage increase from 5,880 to 6,247 NIS

"Raising the minimum wage during wartime is our moral and ethical duty for workers in the economy who work hard for their livelihood," Ben-Tzur said.

 Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur.