Shas party leader Aryeh Deri announces he is likely to step down as Minister of the Economy. Deri made the announcement on Channel 2’s Meet the Press program on motzei Shabbos parshas Lech Lecha. He added that if his plan for the government’s natural gas resources is not approved, he will submit his resignation.

The question remains is what Deri’s next stop will be. There is a rumor that he will switch cabinet ministries with Minister of the Interior Silvan Shalom. Another rumor states that a new office will be tailored for Deri, to better permit him to assist the “transparent” citizens as he promised during elections, referring to the nation’s poor.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)