Aryeh Deri back in headlines as Israel's political tinderbox tightens; longtime Shas leader and ex-justice minister keeps pulling strings in coalition chaos. Born 1959, key religious-politics figure.
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.
Gadi Eisenkot has launched his centrist Yashar party’s campaign, pledging to unify Israel and implement wide reforms, including service for all and cap on reserve duty. He frames the race as a choice between unity and division and vows a state inquiry into the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023.