People close to MK Eli Yishai, the former head of Shas, have applied to the Party Registrar to register a new party under his leadership. The name they selected is "Maran," the honorific by which Shas founder and mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ztz”l was known.

If the Registrar refuses to accept the name, the party will be called Yahad ("together").

Meanwhile, Jewish Home Chairman, Naftali Bennett, and Uri Ariel, who heads the Tekuma faction inside Jewish Home, were meeting Sunday evening in order to try and hammer out differences that could cause a split within the party.

If the talks fail, Ariel is expected to join Yishai's party. The party will appeal to nationalist hareidi Jews.