After verdict: Netanyahu fires Interior and Health Minister Deri “The massacre strategy failed”: Italians no longer fear the mafia

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired one of his top ministers following a Supreme Court ruling. The prime minister announced the resignation of Arie Deri on Sunday during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Deri is chairman of the strictly religious party Schas.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday classified Deri’s appointment as interior and health minister as “improper” because of his criminal past. The judges justified their verdict with Deri’s repeated conviction. They also stated that last year Deri had assured a tax crime court that he would retire from politics.

Deri’s appointment was a key demand from the Shas party in coalition talks with Netanyahu. Before the verdict, members of the party threatened to leave the government if Deri lost his post. The party has eleven of the ruling coalition’s 64 seats in parliament. The new coalition had specifically amended a law to allow Deri to become minister despite his conviction.

It is feared that the verdict could fuel Israel’s dispute over judicial reforms. The new justice minister, Jariv Levin, said he would “do whatever it takes to right the wrongs against Deri”. A few weeks ago he had already presented plans for the targeted weakening of the Supreme Court.

A majority in parliament should therefore be able to pass a law, even if, in the opinion of the highest court, it conflicts with the Basic Law. Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges. He accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.

(yam/sda/dpa)