Aryeh Deri
Chairman of Shas · Shas
2 changes of mind on record, 2013–2023
How this works
Each change shows what they said then and what they said later, in their own words, dated, with the source.
Every quote is checked word for word against a saved copy of its source. Translations are labelled.
The short labels on each line are our summaries.
At a glance
- Judicial reform Reform will be implementedDialogue on the reform Jan 2023Apr 2023
- Sitting in a government with Yair Lapid Won't sit with LapidWill sit with Lapid on terms Feb 2013Mar 2019Oct 2019
first said said otherwise
Judicial reform
Then
Reform will be implemented
In his first interview after the High Court barred him from ministerial office, he describes the new justice minister as determined to implement the judicial reform and demand the ministry carry it out.
"במשרד המשפטים הבינו שנכנס להם שר חדש, נחוש בדעתו שלא מגמגם ולא ממצמץ שהצעד הראשון שלו הוא שהרפורמה במערכת תיושם ודורש מהם לבצע את היישום הזה"
Our translation In the Justice Ministry they understood that a new minister had come in, determined, who does not stammer or blink, that his first step is that the reform of the system will be implemented, and he demands that they carry out this implementation.
Source אריה דרעי מצהיר שישוב לשולחן הממשלה - וחושף ממה הוא הכי פגוע (ערוץ 14) (as reported by c14.co.il)
2 months later
Later
Dialogue on the reform
After the prime minister froze the legislation, he says Shas wants dialogue and healing, while adding that the laws are ready if the talks fail and that changes would then be passed step by step.
"אם מישהו יחשוב לפרש את הרצון שלנו עכשיו ללכת להידברות ולאחות את הקרעים כחולשה – הוא טועה ובגדול."
Our translation If anyone thinks to read our wish now to go to dialogue and heal the rifts as weakness, he is badly mistaken.
Source דרעי: "אם היינו מעבירים את החקיקה הקואליציה הייתה מתפרקת" (מעריב) (as reported by maariv.co.il)
Context: On 27 March 2023 Prime Minister Netanyahu froze the legislation and talks began at the President's residence; the interview is with Shas's weekly Haderech.
Sitting in a government with Yair Lapid
Then
Won't sit with Lapid
After a coalition meeting he says Lapid's positions mean a government without Shas and the Haredim, and that Habayit Hayehudi too will come to see that one cannot sit in a coalition together with Yesh Atid.
"ייקח כמה ימים עד שגם הבית היהודי יבין שאי אפשר לשבת יחד בקואליציה עם יש עתיד"
Our translation It will take a few days until Habayit Hayehudi too understands that it is impossible to sit together in a coalition with Yesh Atid.
Source דרעי: בקרוב גם בנט יבין שלא ניתן לשבת עם לפיד (ynet, שירי הדר) (as reported by ynet.co.il)
6 years, 1 month later
Later
Won't sit with Lapid
Declares that Shas will not sit in a government with Gantz's Blue and White for as long as it is joined to Lapid, even if their rotation is cancelled.
"כל עוד שהחיבור הזה, לפיד וגנץ, ביחד – אנחנו לא נשב. לא משנה, לא נשב איתם בממשלה"
Our translation As long as this union, Lapid and Gantz, is together, we will not sit. It makes no difference, we will not sit with them in a government.
Source דרעי: לא נשב עם גנץ – גם אם יבטל את הרוטציה עם לפיד (הידברות) (as reported by hidabroot.org)
6 months later
Latest
Will sit with Lapid on terms
Asked what had changed since the pledge not to sit with Lapid: no narrow government can be formed, and Shas will sit with Lapid if he agrees to sit with the Haredim without boycotts and to keep the status quo, as the rabbi who heads the Shas yeshiva said.
"אם לפיד יסכים לשבת עם החרדים בלי חרמות ויסכים לכל הסטטוס קוו ולכל הדברים שאנחנו אמונים עליהם, שמעתם מה שמרן ראש הישיבה אמר"
Our translation If Lapid agrees to sit with the Haredim without boycotts and agrees to the whole status quo and to all the things we are devoted to, you heard what the head of the yeshiva said.
Source דרעי: ש"ס תשב בממשלה עם לפיד אם יתחייב לשמור על הסטטוס קוו (וואלה, ריאיון לקול ברמה) (as reported by news.walla.co.il)
Context: Shas and Yesh Atid were in opposite camps in the 2013 and 2019 coalition negotiations; the Oct 2019 interview followed a statement by Shas's spiritual leader that he did not rule out sitting with Lapid and Liberman.