After Judgment
Netanyahu dismisses Interior and Health Minister Deri
Arie Deri, leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, attends a special session of the Knesset. The Supreme Court in Israel has opposed the appointment of a member of the new government. The judges ruled that Deri cannot retain his post as Minister of the Interior and Health. photo
© Amir Cohen/Reuters Pool/AP/dpa
The Schas party had demanded his appointment in order to participate in the government – despite his criminal past. With the dismissal of Arie Deri, the problems should not be off the table.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed one of his most important ministers following a ruling by the Supreme Court. The Prime Minister announced the dismissal of Arie Deri during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, according to media reports on Sunday. Deri is chairman of the strictly religious Schas party.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday classified Deri’s appointment as Minister of the Interior and Health as “inappropriate” because of his criminal past. The judges justified their judgment with the repeated conviction of Deri. They also stated that Deri had assured a court for tax offenses last year that he would retire from politics.
Minister despite conviction
Deri’s appointment was a key demand by the Shas party in the coalition talks with Netanyahu. Before the verdict, members of the party threatened to leave the government if Deri were to lose his post. The party holds eleven of the governing coalition’s 64 seats in parliament. The new coalition had specifically amended a law so that Deri could become a minister despite his conviction.
It is feared that the verdict could fuel the dispute in Israel over reforms of the judicial system. The new justice minister, Jariv Levin, said he would “do whatever is necessary to right the wrongs against Deri.” A few weeks ago, he had already presented plans for the targeted weakening of the Supreme Court.
A majority in parliament should therefore be able to pass a law even if the Supreme Court considers it to be in violation of the Basic Law. Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges. He accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.