Prominent Israeli Shas leader and elder statesman. A founder of Shas, Dery has shaped religious-secular bargaining in Israeli politics for decades.
The governing coalition has passed a preliminary Knesset vote to dissolve parliament and has sent the bill to committee; if the law clears final readings it will force elections at least 90 days later. Ultra‑Orthodox parties are pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a draft‑exemption for yeshiva students while the coalition is rushing controversial judicial and media reforms through committees.
The Times of Israel reports on a split within Likud over ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions, with Knesset member Dan Illouz quitting the party amid opposition to Haredi conscription policy. Netanyahu’s leadership is being tested as dissenters warn the party has abandoned its traditional values.