"Malkieli is a murderer": Haredi protesters attacked Shas MK

Shas Member of Knesset Michael Malkieli left last night, Saturday, the weekly lesson of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef in Jerusalem, amidst shouts from Haredi protesters: "Malkieli is a murderer," and banging on the vehicle he entered.

The shouts were heard against the backdrop of his agreement to promote the draft law that is causing anger among Shas voters, as well as the reconciliation that took place last Thursday between Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri.

The protesters gathered immediately after the weekly lesson and the recitation of Selichot at the synagogue, surrounded the MK's vehicle, and shouted slogans at him. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef also entered the vehicle.

The elder of the Council of Torah Sages, Rabbi Maya, sent a letter last Thursday to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef through Deri, stating that Shas continues to preserve the legacy of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. According to him, Rabbi Yosef, as the successor of his father, will be in charge of implementing that legacy within the Shas movement and its institutions.

Rabbi Maya asked Rabbi Yosef in his letter:

"I have come with a request to your eminence, a son like his father, that you may be pleased to guide and direct the legacy and leadership of Maran our teacher among the movement's representatives, the way they should go and the deeds they should do."

Rabbi Maya also referred to Deri in his letter:

"We were privileged that Maran relied on his trusted aide in all public matters, the messenger of the sages, the restorer of Torah, the creator of the Sephardic Jewish revolution, Rabbi Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas movement, and entrusted him with the reins of leading the holy movement. And he follows the path that Maran charted for him, as he was privileged to serve him from the day of its founding."

One of the reasons for Deri's attempt to reconcile with Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is his understanding that the Rabbi can help bring back voters and stabilize the party, though he fears giving him too much political power.

Under the surface, there is also a more radical Haredi group, and Shas is struggling to deal with it. For years, Shas managed to maintain a state-oriented line, but as the Haredi street became more radical, the party failed to adapt. Now, Deri is trying to put out the fires.