Newly sworn-in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) chairs the first cabinet meeting of his new government in Jerusalem, on December 29, 2022. (Credit: AFP)
Israel's top court said Wednesday that a senior member of premier Benjamin Netanyahu's newly formed government cannot serve as minister due to a recent tax evasion conviction.
Netanyahu returned to power last month and made Aryeh Deri health and interior minister, but in a 10-1 ruling the Supreme Court said "the prime minister must remove Deri from his position."
Deri's appointment "could not stand" since it was "extremely unreasonable," according to a summary of the court's decision.
Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish party Shas, admitted to tax evasion last year, was fined 180,000 shekels ($50,000) and relinquished his parliamentary seat.
The judges said Deri had created the appearance of intending to resign from politics to get a lighter sentence. He ran for office again in Israel's Nov. 1 election.
Lawmakers last month passed legislation that allows anyone convicted of offenses but not given a custodial sentence to serve as a minister.
Netanyahu returned to power at the head of a coalition with extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.
The prime minister himself is currently standing trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust— charges he denies.
Netanyahu returned to power last month and made Aryeh Deri health and interior minister, but in a 10-1 ruling the Supreme Court said "the prime minister must remove Deri from his position."
Deri's appointment "could not stand" since it was "extremely unreasonable," according to a summary of the court's decision.
Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish party Shas, admitted to tax evasion last year, was fined 180,000 shekels ($50,000) and relinquished his parliamentary seat.
The judges said Deri had created the appearance of intending to resign from...
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