Last night, the Shas Council of Torah Sages signed off on the party's list for the 26th Knesset, stating that "alongside the continued activity of the incumbent MKs who have worked with dedication and loyalty, new forces will be integrated to work together to strengthen Jewish identity.".
The movement's chairman, Aryeh Deri, will head the list, and one of the most notable changes is the placement of Lt. Col. (res.) Dror Amos in sixth place.
The decision to place a reserve officer in a particularly high and prominent position on the list comes against the backdrop of the anger and criticism that arose among parts of the serving public following the party's support for the conscription law.
Amos, who was appointed chairman of the Haifa Religious Council only last year, was placed in sixth place, ahead of several of the party's sitting Knesset members.
Alongside Amos, another new name joins the list, Yosef Elnatanov, a representative of the Bukharian community, who was placed in 11th place.
Shas announced upon completion of the list that, alongside the continued activity of the incumbent Knesset members, "new forces will be integrated that will work together to strengthen Jewish identity.".
The person who made the biggest jump on the list was Yinon Azoulay, who was placed in second place, followed by Michael Malchieli in third place. Yoav Ben-Tzur, whom Deri sought to remove from the list, was placed in fourth place, Haim Biton in fifth and Dror Amos in sixth.
Moshe Abutbul was placed seventh, Uriel Buso in eighth, Yosef Taib in ninth and Yonatan Mashriqi in tenth place.
Yosef Elnatanov was placed in 11th place, Erez Malul in 12th place and Simon Moshiashvili in 13th place.
The composition of the list was finalized after the Council of Torah Sages held discussions this week regarding the candidates and positions. At a meeting held earlier this week, it was decided not to remove the incumbent Knesset members, and at the same time, the inclusion of new candidates on the list will be examined.
The list:
'The Council further wrote about the list: "The Council of Torah Sages expresses its appreciation to the loyal representatives Rabbi Yaakov Margi and Rabbi Moshe Arbel, for their extensive activity over the years in their various positions, which they were privileged to do a lot of, and accepts their request not to be included on the Shas list for the next Knesset.".
