An Israeli political party formed and organized politically by Jews of Sephardi origin who sense social discrimination against them. In that election, it wins four seats, growing its parliamentary representation to 19 in the 1999 knesset elections. Ten years later it holds only 10 seats, its luster tarnished by several of its major leaders indicted and convicted on corruption and other charges. Shas’ spiritual leaders takes an openly hostile position toward the Arabs.