Interior Minister Aryeh Deri was officially dismissed on Sunday from the cabinet after the Supreme Court ruled his prior conduct and tax-related convictions make him ineligible to serve in public office.
Netanyahu announced he was firing Deri, who serves as Interior and Health Minister, at a meeting of his cabinet. According to his office, Netanyahu told Deri he was removing him from his post with "a heavy heart and great sorrow", echoing his criticism of the Supreme Court from Wednesday.
"This unfortunate decision ignores the people's will," Netanyahu told Deri. "I intend to find any legal way for you to continue to contribute to the state of Israel." Deri said he would continue to lead his party and assist the government in advancing its agenda, including the legal overhaul.
Deri's firing is also expected to shake Netanyahu's governing coalition, a union buoyed by ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, including Deri's Shas, which is the third largest party in the government. While some Shas lawmakers threatened to bolt the fledgling coalition in the aftermath of the court ruling, it is expected to survive Deri's absence and to attempt to craft legislation that would pave the way for his swift return. Netanyahu is now expected to appoint other Shas members to replace Deri, at least temporarily.
Deri has long been a kingmaker in Israeli politics and has become a key ally of Netanyahu's who has relied on him repeatedly to join his governments and back his agenda.
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Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, measures that opponents say imperil the country's democratic foundation. Israeli media, citing police, said some 100,000 people were out protesting. Meanwhile,
The protests on Saturday followed another demonstration last week that also drew tens of thousands in an early challenge to Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox government. The government says a power imbalance has given judges and government legal advisers too much sway over lawmaking and governance. Netanyahu has pledged to press on with the changes despite the opposition.
Protesters filled central streets in the seaside metropolis, raising Israeli flags and banners that read "Our Children will not Live in a Dictatorship" and "Israel, We Have A Problem." "This is a protest to defend the country," said opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who joined the protest. "People came here today to protect their democracy." "All generations are concerned. This is not a joke," said Lior Student, a protester. "This is a complete redefinition of democracy." Other protests took place in the cities of Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba.
In addition to the protests, pressure has built up on Netanyahu's government after the country's attorney general asked Netanyahu to fire a key cabinet ally following a Supreme Court ruling that disqualified him from holding a government post because of a conviction of tax offenses. Netanyahu was expected to heed the court ruling with an official dismissal at the start of the cabinet meeting on Sunday. Israel Hayom has learned that among the various measures being considered to compensate for his departure is a new law that would allow him to return to the cabinet, essentially reforming Israel's basic laws in a way that would circumvent the courts.
Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, vowed to continue with the judicial overhaul plans despite the protests. Opponents say the changes could help Netanyahu evade conviction in his corruption trial, or make the court case disappear altogether.
On Friday, Netanyahu's coalition was put to a new test after a disagreement between cabinet members over the dismantling of an unauthorized settlement outpost in the West Bank. Defense Minister Yoav Galant, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, ordered the removal of the outpost, upsetting a pro-settlement cabinet member who had issued a directive to postpone the eviction pending further discussions.
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