The so-called probe into possible illegal activity involving Shas party leader Aryeh Deri is now escalating as Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has ordered police to launch a criminal investigation against Interior Minister Aryeh Deri.
Last week, it was stressed that Mandelblit was simply “probing” to determine if there was sufficient cause to order a police investigation and the Attorney General has given the order to police to probe for alleged illegal monetary activities by Deri. There is a court-ordered ban on release of details in the case.
Deri last week stated he is confident a probe will clear him, calling on authorities to expedite the investigation to permit him to put this behind him.
With many people in the public and private arenas opposed to Deri serving as a cabinet minister following his conviction on fraud and other white collar charges, the announcement of another criminal investigation has them calling for Deri to step down. There is also a petition pending with the High Court of Justice seeking to prevent a convicted criminal of returning to the cabinet table after serving his sentence.
Opponents feel that even if such a person has served a prison term, as is the case with Deri, and they have ‘paid their debt to society’ they are no longer suited for public office.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
“With many people opposed to Deri serving as a cabinet minister following his conviction” and “Opponents feel that even if ‘paid their debt to society’ they are no longer suited for public office.”
Shall we venture a guess what is YWN opinion on this?
And they are right. Only in third world countries – and Israel is certainly a member of that club – are such people considered fit to hold public office.
Just to remind people that the original investigation of Deri’s financial affairs during the 1990s involved teams of investigators in the prosecutor’s office who worked for for YEARS. I’d like to know if all of the Deri critics think their financial affairs could withstand such relentless scrutiny.It is likely no public figure in Israeli politics is without blemish in this department, but they put Deri under the microscope, so they found something. And don’t forget that just because an Israeli court find him guilty – according to British Mandate and Turkish laws, not according to din Torah, who says that he was really guilty of anything at all?
@avreimi
The conviction was something out of a third world country. And your hatredfor someone the gedolim supported and continue to support is something out of a third world religion.