Ministers back law aimed at paving way for Deri’s return, despite objection of AG

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation gives its stamp of approval to a bill aimed at clearing the way for convicted Shas leader Aryeh Deri’s return as minister after his appointment was recently disqualified by the High Court of Justice, despite Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara coming out against the proposal.

The bill would amend one of Israel’s quasi-constitutional Basic Laws to prevent judicial review over the appointment of government ministers. In a letter sent last night to Justice Minister Yariv Levin, two of Baharav-Miara’s deputies warned that the measure’s passage into law could lead the High Court to take the unprecedented move of intervening against a Basic Law.

The legislation voted on today has been dubbed “the second Deri bill,” after the coalition passed a law following the November 1 election aimed at ensuring Deri’s return as minister following his most recent conviction. Though the law was upheld, the High Court still struck down his appointment.