Shas and Degel voted last night together with the coalition in favor of splitting the Arrangements Law. However, today (Tuesday) it turns out that what paved the way for a solution was the mysterious absence of Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri.
According to a report by Ari Kalman on the i24 channel, since the beginning of the week, Deri has not been available at all, has not responded to messages and calls from the Prime Minister's Office, and has in fact transferred full decision-making authority to MK Yinon Azoulay, chairman of the Shas faction.
So where did the Shas chairman go? According to the report, Deri momentarily changed his politician's hat to that of the "conventional.".
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
Although his people were asked to say that he had taken off for a bar mitzvah abroad, Deri did not actually leave the country. According to estimates, he was in the north - most likely in Peki'in - where he held a series of prayers and fasts in preparation for the end of the "Shovavim" days that began this week.
It was the absence of Deri, who led the hard line in recent weeks, that allowed the coalition to move forward with the budget legislation without interference from him.
At the same time, Deri told his associates on Saturday evening: "The conscription law cannot be passed naturally. A great miracle is needed for it to pass. A major amendment needs to be made.".
