Minister Aryeh and Mrs. Yaffa Deri on Tuesday morning 16 Menachem Av reported to Lahav 433 headquarters to be questioned once again. Deri tweeted a message earlier in the day, “Today is Tuesday, פעמים כי טוב”, and Yaffa and I are on our way to questioning during which we will respond to every question. I have no doubt everything will be good and end well B’ezras Hashem”.

Today, Deri will be questioned as to his involvement in the Lod Chief Rabbi race towards determining his involvement. That election has been delayed for three months amid allegations of foul play.

In a report that the Shas-affiliated deputy mayor, Rabbi Eliyahu Maman, was fired, after he voted against the mayor’s position and for the replacement of the “voter body” – a step opposed by the mayor, who claimed that the motives behind the move were improper and even warned that he would appeal to the legal advisor and the state comptroller. It was published that sources in the city who are close to the mayor claim that askan Mikho Moshogashvili is involved in the matter, and he is interested that it is the rabbi of the Georgian community who will take over the job.

It is important to note that close associates of Rabbi Moshogashvili were quick to deny this claim, insisting Mikho had no connection to the matter.

Three months later, Ynet reported that during the police questioning of Deri and his wife, intelligence information gathered pointed to a close connection between Moshogashvili’s son and a son of Deri. This let to concerns of Deri’s involvement in the election of a new chief rabbi in the city.

Deri denies any connection or involvement in the Lod Chief Rabbi race.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)