After two years in the Torah Wing of Matityahu Prison, former Shas party minister Rabbi Shlomo Benizri walked out this morning, Thursday 7 Adar 5772, a free man. Benizri was anxiously awaiting release in time for Pesach after prison officials wiped one-third from his sentence for good behavior, but he was let out in time for Purim due to severe overcrowding conditions in the prison. Benizri blamed the entire system, from the clerk who handles the files to the top persons, the decision makers.

The former minister did not waste time telling the public just what he has to say after having two years to think things over. He had harsh words for the judicial system, which he accuses of setting him up, standing tall on his record of doing so much to assist the underprivileged, rejecting the court’s guilty verdict as he did when he was convicted. He told reporters who waited for a statement that he was “framed” and “set up” and is not guilty despite the conviction against him.

Shas officials report that when Rav Ovadia heard of Benizri’s scheduled release he stated “Baruch Matir Asurim”.

Benizri lashed out at the injustice of the verdict against him, stating he will continue giving shiurim and continue his work to help those around him. Most political analysts feel he will return to the political arena, still enjoying widespread popularity. He will however most likely be in an unofficial position since his conviction carries a ‘moral turpitude’ clause that prohibits his return to the political arena for seven years.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)