SHASSHAS

Shas: Political Platform Shas: Political Platform

Supports autonomy for Palestinians, but Supports autonomy for Palestinians, but opposes both a Palestinian state and opposes both a Palestinian state and division of Jerusalem division of Jerusalem

Supports army exemption for religious Supports army exemption for religious scholarsscholars

Governmental policies should be based on Governmental policies should be based on Jewish Law Jewish Law

Hasidic = pious Hasidic = pious

Orthodox DemographicsOrthodox Demographics

Why has Shas been able to maintain Why has Shas been able to maintain control over Israeli institutions despite its control over Israeli institutions despite its

lack of popular support?lack of popular support?

Shas: Emergence in Jerusalem Shas: Emergence in Jerusalem

1993 Mayoral election 1993 Mayoral election – Former P.M. Ehud Olmert versus Teddy KollekFormer P.M. Ehud Olmert versus Teddy Kollek– Six Shas members were awarded Deputy Mayors of Six Shas members were awarded Deputy Mayors of

Jerusalem -Uri Lupoliansky Jerusalem -Uri Lupoliansky

2003 Lupoliansky became Mayor of 2003 Lupoliansky became Mayor of JerusalemJerusalem

Shas: Social InstitutionsShas: Social Institutions

1995- 71% of Jewish residents within Jerusalem lived 1995- 71% of Jewish residents within Jerusalem lived under the poverty lineunder the poverty line

In 2005-23%In 2005-23%

Shas’s educational services includeShas’s educational services include::100 day care centers100 day care centers750 kindergarten centers750 kindergarten centers177 schools177 schoolsAll provide aid to over 52,000 childrenAll provide aid to over 52,000 children360 different locations throughout Israel 360 different locations throughout Israel

123 out of the 360 locations are within Jerusalem123 out of the 360 locations are within Jerusalem

““For us, the party is a means toward fulfilling a bigger agenda. For other For us, the party is a means toward fulfilling a bigger agenda. For other groups, the party is the goal...this is why Shas cannot be crushed” -Rabbi groups, the party is the goal...this is why Shas cannot be crushed” -Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Kakon Chaim Tzvi Kakon

Shas: Political DominanceShas: Political Dominance

Co-leader of the Ministry of Education in IsraelCo-leader of the Ministry of Education in Israel2006 Shas leader Eli Yishai was made Deputy 2006 Shas leader Eli Yishai was made Deputy Prime Minister Prime Minister Minister of Labor Minister of Labor Interior Minister Interior Minister Minister of Industry Minister of Industry

and Trade and Trade

Shas: Use of Propaganda Shas: Use of Propaganda

Uses: pictures, videos, symbols, and other propaganda to reach Uses: pictures, videos, symbols, and other propaganda to reach out to younger voters, and people from a diversity of communitiesout to younger voters, and people from a diversity of communities

““Shas will help bring families back to their individual and collective Shas will help bring families back to their individual and collective religious roots.”religious roots.”

Israel’s National Anthem:Israel’s National Anthem:

““As long as deep in the heart,As long as deep in the heart,The soul of a Jew yearns,The soul of a Jew yearns,And forward to the EastAnd forward to the EastTo Zion, an eye looksTo Zion, an eye looksOur hope will not be lost,Our hope will not be lost,The hope of two thousand years,The hope of two thousand years,To be a free nation in our land,To be a free nation in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem” The land of Zion and Jerusalem”

Shas: Present dayShas: Present day

1999- won 17 Knesset seats making it the third largest 1999- won 17 Knesset seats making it the third largest party, slightly more than Likud party, slightly more than Likud

2009 won 11 seats2009 won 11 seats

2009-Shas agreed to join the Kadima-Labor ruling coalition 2009-Shas agreed to join the Kadima-Labor ruling coalition with the stipulations:with the stipulations:

– Did not have to support a further withdrawal from the West Bank Did not have to support a further withdrawal from the West Bank settlementssettlements

– Would be granted: Finance Minister, Deputy Chairman of the Knesset, Would be granted: Finance Minister, Deputy Chairman of the Knesset, and head of the Knesset Interior Committee and head of the Knesset Interior Committee

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237727512322&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFullhttp://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237727512322&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

Party Seats

Kadima 28

Likud 27

Yisrael Beiteinu 15

Labor 13

Shas 11

United Torah Judaism* 5

National Union** 4

Hadash 4

United Arab List-Ta'al 4

The Jewish Home 3

New Movement-Meretz 3

Balad 3

Total 120

•United Torah Judaism is an alliance of Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah

** The National Union is an alliance of Eretz Yisrael Shelanu, Hatikva, Moledet and Tkuma.