Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri announced on Wednesday evening that he has no plans to rejoin the Cabinet during the current government’s tenure. Consequently, there is no requirement to enact the ‘Deri Law,’ which would enable his return as a minister.
In January, the Supreme Court determined that Deri could not hold a ministerial position due to his multiple convictions related to offenses committed while he served as Interior Minister.
In an interview with the Kikar Hashabbat website, Deri emphasized, “We have five highly capable ministers within Shas, and I utilize my time away from government duties to bolster our movement, which is of utmost importance. At present, I personally lack any inclination to rejoin the government or the Cabinet.”
Reflecting on the challenging year marked by reforms and protests, Deri acknowledged the difficulties faced. He commented, “It has been an extraordinarily demanding year with the reforms and protests; I can’t recall anything quite like it. It’s incredibly challenging, but one must know how to navigate through it. The protests halted the legislative pace that was anticipated and offered us a different perspective. It’s easy to say, ‘I have the majority, so I decide,’ but those entrusted with responsibility must consider the bigger picture. The nature of the reforms, the composition of the government, and the statements made by various reform leaders have left many people apprehensive. It has created significant upheaval, and there’s a deliberate intention to bring about a new order here.”
Deri directed criticism towards the opposition, alleging that it lacks a genuine commitment to resolving the division within Israeli society. He stated, “I have yet to witness any opposition leader—be it Gantz, Eisenkot, or Sa’ar—stepping forward to acknowledge the profound danger and express a willingness to engage in negotiations. It’s no secret that in recent months, we have observed a distinct lack of outstretched hands from the opposition, ready to engage in constructive dialogue. We are considering an alternative, which the prime minister is aware of—a unilateral action. This primarily pertains to the concessions we were prepared to make during negotiations with the opposition. The president insists that there’s another party to negotiate with, and I hope that proves true.”
When asked about the government’s obligation to adhere to Supreme Court rulings, even if they invalidate a Basic Law, Deri responded, “Those who seek to lead the country down the path of confrontation and determine who holds greater power should answer this question. Wisdom lies in avoiding such situations and evading confrontations. The responsibility to prevent a constitutional crisis doesn’t rest solely on the government. Yes, it falls on the government, but equally on the court. I hope that both sides will exercise responsibility.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
This is terrible. I don’t see how the Knesset recovers from this. Truly a sad day.
Gantz is decisive in politics but would be willing to negotiate with Religious Jewish people in a coalition if such an event occurred. Gantz keeps some mitzvot, and there are some observant Jews in his party.