Opponents of Minister Aryeh Deri have often used him against the fact that he had served a prison term for bribery and that he was questioned by police during the past year in another case. However, on Wednesday evening, the interior minister could have been somewhat pleased at the warm words the State Comptroller said about him at a conference in Jerusalem.

“I have to give a great compliment to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri,” retired judge Yosef Shapira said at a conference of local authorities.

Last May, the comptroller published a report criticizing the government’s actions, including the handling of infiltrators under the responsibility of the Interior Minister’s office. “The State of Israel’s handling of asylum requests by foreigners was characterized by a series of failures,” he said, and directed quite a bit of criticism at the office of Shas chairman.

However, on Wednesday evening, the State Comptroller’s tone was somewhat different, stating his performance and that of his office were nothing less than “outstanding, an example for all”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)