The top story in Israel this morning, Wednesday, 20 Adar-II is that Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, who heads the Shas party, is under investigation for alleged corruption, again.
Depending on whom one speaks with one will receive a slightly different picture as to the process taking place against him. Deri was quick to release his name as social media on Tuesday night was abuzz with speculation, seeking to exhibit an air of integrity. Deri has also called for removing the court-imposed gag order and reveal everything to do with the probe against him but this is not likely to occur.
Deri, who served 22 months in prison for corruption and related charges from 2000-2002 has defied the odds and climbed back up the political ladder to a position of power. He also succeeded in regaining his seat as party leader with the ousting of Eli Yishai.
The reports surrounding the probe cite this is not a criminal investigation but a probe, leading one to believe the evidence does not warrant police action. However, a number of experts speaking to Israel Radio on Wednesday morning insist this is semantics and in reality, the so-called probe is the same as a police investigation.
The public is already engaged in debate if a former convict who was convicted and imprisoned on corruption charges should be permitted to return to the cabinet table. In fact, at least one such petition lies on the Supreme Court agenda, awaiting a judicial ruling.
When Deri returned to the cabinet there was an audible voice of opposition for many feel that even though he has paid his debt to society, such a person should never be permitted to return to a cabinet post. Others feel that the law is the law and Deri and those like him should not be treated harsher than any other citizen and after serving his sentence and riding out the seven-year hiatus period barring him from public service, there is no reason he cannot serve as he is doing today.
Deri has announced he will cooperate with authorities and respond to any and all questions without hesitation.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
He did wrong, served his time, paid his debt, what more can society demand from him?
Wrong, #1. Thievery is a habit harder to kick than cigarettes or drugs. The recidivism rate is extremely high.
Deri is a hero, etc for championing the rights and the welfare of his fellow Sephardim and all Jews for that matter. There seems to be other jealous and hateful people that just can’t accept his mesiras nefesh for klal yisroel. We really need Moshiah!!! Hashem hamerachem!
where there is smoke there is fire, something must be partly true.
#1- When it comes to public office, the legal standard of having served his time is a minimal one and in the minds of many, myself included, an insufficient one. All the more so with regard to senior public office. Here is an example for you: if a melamed was caught and convicted of molesting talmidim and served his time – would you reappoint him as a melamed? I should hope not.
#3- He certainly talks a big game but ask yourself this – are Sefardim in Israel actually better off because of Deri? To me the obvious answer is that no, they are not. Quite to the contrary, I truly believe that he has done great harm to the Israeli Sefardic community. And if you look at his actual voting record instead of his rhetoric you may be surprised: with a few notable exceptions, his famous support for the poor usually ends up as empty gestures or as crumbs while his significant votes almost always benefit the wealthy and powerful.