Israel’s top court ruled Wednesday that a senior member of premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s newly formed government cannot serve as minister due to a recent tax evasion conviction. The decision was slammed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition, which vowed to push ahead with controversial measures that would weaken the Supreme Court and its power to strike down legislation.
Aryeh Deri admitted last year to tax evasion, was fined $50,000 and lost their parliamentary seat. The appointment of Deri as health and interior minister “could not stand” since it was “extremely unreasonable”. Deri’s Shas party called the court’s decision “unprecedented,” but refrained from announcing any concrete measures. In a 10-1 decision, the judges said Netanyahu “must remove Deri from his position”. Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced a controversial plan to revamp Israel’s legal system earlier this month.
It includes handing more powers to lawmakers in appointing judges and overriding Supreme Court decisions. The move has fueled large protests in Jerusalem and other cities by Israelis opposed to Netanyahu’s government. Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned “the Israeli government would be violating the law” if Netanyahu does not remove Deri.
