Shas Head Aryeh Deri Announces Political Comeback

Aryeh Deri announced today that he would return to politics as the head of the Shas party two weeks after he sought to resign as chairman and quit the Knesset.

The long-time Knesset member had resigned after the leak of a video recording with comments that were taken out of context.

He formally resigned from the Knesset after the video aired in a largely symbolic move, but his request to quit the party leadership was denied by Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah of Shas.

Today, Deri said he would respect the Moetzet’s decision and resume his duties as party chairman.

“I accept, with humility and a bowed head, the directive of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah,” Deri said. After a “difficult time during which I did some personal soul-searching for myself and family,” Deri said he concluded that Shas was “more important than any other consideration.”

“With my head high, with pride and determination, I will continue to lead the party and continue the great project of Maran [Rav Ovadiah Yosef] to be a voice for those the state has left behind,” Deri added.

{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}