Shas: Sephardi Haredi politics and coalition power
Origins of the movement
Shas was founded in 1984 as a political home for many Sephardi and Mizrahi ultra-Orthodox voters, under the religious influence of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Its history is also a story about representation: supporters argued that established Ashkenazi-led Haredi institutions had not treated Sephardi traditions and communities equally. Shas built schools, local political networks and a distinct religious identity, presenting itself as a protector of Torah study and traditional family life.
Leadership and voters
Aryeh Deri is the party’s principal political leader in 2026, while rabbinic leadership and the Council of Torah Sages have significant authority in religious questions. Shas receives support beyond a single socio-economic group. It is not simply interchangeable with United Torah Judaism, which has different Ashkenazi Haredi constituencies. The party uses social welfare, religious education and respect for Sephardi and Mizrahi traditions to maintain a loyal voter base.
Electoral influence
Shas won 11 seats in the 2022 Knesset election; several surveys just before 27 October 2026 placed it around seven to eight seats. Its historical high was 17 seats in 1999. The party can play a pivotal coalition role even without being the largest parliamentary faction, because a government needs to assemble a majority of the 120-member chamber. Describing Shas as the sole or always strongest religious party is imprecise: the ranking depends on the election and how other religious parties are grouped.
Key policy debates
Prominent issues include funding for religious schools, protection of yeshiva study, rules for military conscription, family subsidies, the religious status quo and welfare for lower-income households. Critics question policies that could weaken core curriculum requirements or unequal obligations among citizens; supporters say religious study and community institutions are essential. Shas has joined coalitions with different political blocs over time and negotiates its influence through ministries, legislation and budget priorities.
Why the party matters
To understand Shas, one must look beyond election slogans. Its constituency reflects Israel’s ethnic, class, religious and educational history. The party illustrates how democratic representation can empower communities while also generating intense argument over the relationship between religion and the state. Voters judge it on a mix of religious authority, social policy and political bargaining, not merely the personal popularity of its leader.
Sources and references
Editorial update: 25 October 2026.