In addition to becoming a cabinet minister, Shas party leader Aryeh Deri last week received the authority to appoint dayanim.
This would mean that Deri would work with the President of the Supreme Court, Justice Miriam Naor to select the dayanim. It was Naor who convicted Deri in his fraud/bribery trial in 1990. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein explained to Deri that by relinquishing this authority it will be easier for him to defend Deri’s appointment on the cabinet in petitions against him to the Supreme Court.
Deri complied with the request and gave up this authority that he received as part of coalition negotiations with the Likud party.
Last week Weinstein informed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that while there is no legality blocking Deri from being appointed to the cabinet, it will be difficult for him to defend the appointment in petitions to the Supreme Court.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
Deri’s not one to back down easily. He’s no loser. If he gave in, I’m sure there is some deal worked out under the table.
Say what you want about him, he knows the game and he plays it well
Who now has the authority to appoint Dayanim that Deri fought so hard for? One of Deri’s henchmen who will do his bidding or someone independent? Has Weinstein achieved anything or just made a fool of himself and the Israeli judicial system?