Omri Sharon, a former MK and a son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a media interview came out strongly in support of Rabbi Aryeh Deri.

When asked if he felt it was acceptable for Deri to make a return to politics after being a convicted criminal and serving a jail term, Sharon stated “remember, I too was in jail and served my time”.

Both Deri and Sharon served prison sentences on convictions of white collar crimes connected to misuse of funds while in office.

Sharon explained that Shas’ greatest political victories were under Deri, crediting him with “knowing and understanding the people, all the people, not just chareidim”.

He added that Deri is a “most talented individual with great abilities and potential”.

Sharon stated that Deri served his time and paid his debt to society and today, under Israel law, remains free to run for public office without any restrictions.

“He knows how to read and interpret the political map, all of it, not just the chareidi areas” concluded Sharon, who recently came out publically in support of Shaul Mofaz, the newly elected leader of the Kadima Party, which was started by his father after the latter broke away from Likud.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)