A petition against Aryeh Deri serving as the Minister of Interior has the Shas party on the defensive. Following elections, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid used Facebook to spread his message, that one who was convicted of bribery during his tenure as a cabinet minister is not suited to return, referring to Deri.

The Union of Local Authorities has since circulated a petition which has already been signed by thousands saying the same thing. The petition states that serving one’s prison term is insufficient, pointing out one who was convicted of fraud and bribery and stealing millions of shekels has no place back at the cabinet table.

Shas releases statements that Deri has served his time and the law does not prohibit appointing him to a cabinet post. Party officials add that some 200,000 voters believe otherwise as they voted for Shas.

Lapid calls on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to appoint Deri to the Interior Ministry, pointing out that doing so would place him in charge of billions of shekels and this is unacceptable.

Shas sets its sights on the Interior Ministry (Hebrew)

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)