BREAKING NEWS

High Court split vote lets Deri keep post

In a split vote, the High Court of Justice on Sunday ended one of the primary threats to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri’s political career, letting him keep his post despite his prior conviction for bribery.
 
The Movement for the Quality of Government in Israel had petitioned against Deri’s appointment because he previously held the same exact position, but was forced to resign in 1993 amid a corruption investigation.
 
With only Justice Neal Hendel dissenting, the High Court majority made two points to clear the cloud hanging over Deri’s head.
 
First, Justices Salim Joubran and Yoram Danziger responded to the attack that Deri should be fired from his ministerial position because allowing him to keep it would undermine the public’s faith in the rule of law.
 
They signaled that the Knesset’s approval of his receiving the post, with the approval being specific to him and not just part of a general approval of all of the ministers, cured any doubts about his appointment having the support of the public.