Ousted Israeli minister still holds sway in Netanyahu's coalition
Until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds a way to reinstate Shas leader Aryeh Deri to his ministerial positions, the ousted minister will wield much of his influence from outside the government.
Israel's ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced on Tuesday its pick to replace Interior and Health Minister Aryeh Deri, who was fired from his position on Sunday. The Supreme Court had ruled last week that having been convicted of fraud, Deri is disqualified to serve as minister. The ruling left Netanyahu no choice but to sack his top ally.
Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malchieli will temporarily take over the position of interior minister and Yoav Ben-Tzur, currently a minister in the Welfare Ministry, will serve as health minister. The Shas leadership decided that Malchieli and Ben-Tzur will serve as replacements for three months in the hope that in that time, a legal solution will be found to reinstate Deri.
