AJC Mideast Briefing: Keep Your Eye on Aryeh Deri
Ed Rettig, Director, AJC Jerusalem
June 29, 2011
In many ways Aryeh Deri is larger than life. Now 52, Deri had a brilliant career before being sidetracked. Born in humble circumstances in Meknes, Morocco, he made a name for himself as a yeshiva student and then as cofounder of the Sephardic Shas party that turned the political life of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox communities upside down. He continued his meteoric rise to become not just Director General of the Interior Ministry but then, in the words of Jerusalem’s legendary (and utterly secular) mayor Teddy Kollek, “the best Interior Minister the country ever had.”
Deri’s fall was just as dramatic. At age 41 he was convicted of accepting bribes and sent to jail despite a raucous public campaign to prove his innocence that at times seemed to threaten the integrity of the Israeli justice system. Released on probation after about two years for good behavior (the standard practice in the Israeli prison system), Deri has been a private citizen for the last decade.
Since the sentencing court found that his theft was an act exhibiting “moral turpitude,” he was forbidden to hold any public office for seven years. That period is about to come to an end and he is back in the political game. However, he may not be returning to Shas, his former political home. A year ago Deri publicly questioned the viability of Haredi parties (implicitly including Shas) and suggested that a minority of radical ultra-Orthodox activists and leaders was responsible for damaging the reputation of Haredi Jews as a whole. A poll taken a few months ago showed that an independent party led by Deri would garner seven seats in the Knesset, most likely drawing about equally from Likud and Shas supporters. Speaking at the recent President’s Conference, Deri coyly suggested that he might run as part of a non-religious party that includes Eastern Jews in its leadership as a remedy for the old discrimination against them. In today’s political reality, that could mean any of the secular parties in the Israeli mainstream.
Deri’s return could have important consequences for Israel that go far beyond his personal political ambitions. Most commentators suggest that his return to active politics would most likely benefit the Kadima-led opposition. Not only is Deri considered to be personally close to a number of Kadima leaders, but he also tends toward pragmatism on the issue of peace negotiations with the Palestinians. He has expressed support for reinstituting direct elections for the Prime Minister and changing to a system of professional rather than political cabinet ministers.
Since Deri’s return could be the catalyst for a Kadima return to power, the right wing of the political spectrum is showing concern that, among radical elements, borders on panic. Thus the police are investigating a suspected “dirty-tricks” operation among some settlers to put up posters appearing to be the work of Deri supporters that attack Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas. The scheme was transparent and easily discovered, but gives some indication of the fears raised by the prospect of a Deri comeback.
Can a man who sat in jail for corruption resuscitate his political reputation and return to a central position in the Israeli government? Public opinion at this point appears well disposed toward Deri. He is widely seen as someone who has paid his debt to society and has not been involved in any further criminal behavior. He is considered a genial and decent person and a brilliant, visionary leader. But once he declares his party affiliation and speaks out on the issues of the day, he will no doubt face challenges in the freewheeling Israeli marketplace of ideas. Will the gloves come off? If they do, will the public remain sympathetic toward him? And if so, is Aryeh Deri the fulcrum that could turn Israel’s leadership over to a Kadima-led coalition?
June 29, 2011
In many ways Aryeh Deri is larger than life. Now 52, Deri had a brilliant career before being sidetracked. Born in humble circumstances in Meknes, Morocco, he made a name for himself as a yeshiva student and then as cofounder of the Sephardic Shas party that turned the political life of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox communities upside down. He continued his meteoric rise to become not just Director General of the Interior Ministry but then, in the words of Jerusalem’s legendary (and utterly secular) mayor Teddy Kollek, “the best Interior Minister the country ever had.”
Deri’s fall was just as dramatic. At age 41 he was convicted of accepting bribes and sent to jail despite a raucous public campaign to prove his innocence that at times seemed to threaten the integrity of the Israeli justice system. Released on probation after about two years for good behavior (the standard practice in the Israeli prison system), Deri has been a private citizen for the last decade.
Since the sentencing court found that his theft was an act exhibiting “moral turpitude,” he was forbidden to hold any public office for seven years. That period is about to come to an end and he is back in the political game. However, he may not be returning to Shas, his former political home. A year ago Deri publicly questioned the viability of Haredi parties (implicitly including Shas) and suggested that a minority of radical ultra-Orthodox activists and leaders was responsible for damaging the reputation of Haredi Jews as a whole. A poll taken a few months ago showed that an independent party led by Deri would garner seven seats in the Knesset, most likely drawing about equally from Likud and Shas supporters. Speaking at the recent President’s Conference, Deri coyly suggested that he might run as part of a non-religious party that includes Eastern Jews in its leadership as a remedy for the old discrimination against them. In today’s political reality, that could mean any of the secular parties in the Israeli mainstream.
Deri’s return could have important consequences for Israel that go far beyond his personal political ambitions. Most commentators suggest that his return to active politics would most likely benefit the Kadima-led opposition. Not only is Deri considered to be personally close to a number of Kadima leaders, but he also tends toward pragmatism on the issue of peace negotiations with the Palestinians. He has expressed support for reinstituting direct elections for the Prime Minister and changing to a system of professional rather than political cabinet ministers.
Since Deri’s return could be the catalyst for a Kadima return to power, the right wing of the political spectrum is showing concern that, among radical elements, borders on panic. Thus the police are investigating a suspected “dirty-tricks” operation among some settlers to put up posters appearing to be the work of Deri supporters that attack Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas. The scheme was transparent and easily discovered, but gives some indication of the fears raised by the prospect of a Deri comeback.
Can a man who sat in jail for corruption resuscitate his political reputation and return to a central position in the Israeli government? Public opinion at this point appears well disposed toward Deri. He is widely seen as someone who has paid his debt to society and has not been involved in any further criminal behavior. He is considered a genial and decent person and a brilliant, visionary leader. But once he declares his party affiliation and speaks out on the issues of the day, he will no doubt face challenges in the freewheeling Israeli marketplace of ideas. Will the gloves come off? If they do, will the public remain sympathetic toward him? And if so, is Aryeh Deri the fulcrum that could turn Israel’s leadership over to a Kadima-led coalition?
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