The transaction has been completed: Shas chairman, MK Aryeh Deri, Submitted this morning (Sunday) a letter of resignation from the Knesset, to the Speaker of the Knesset, MK Mickey Levy. Deri’s resignation, which was submitted as part of the plea agreement he signed, will take effect according to law within 48 hours. In his place, he is expected to enter the Knesset Yossi Tayeb. However, Deri is expected to remain as party chairman.
As you may recall, last month the chairman of Shas signed a plea agreement with the Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. According to the agreement, Deri will pay up to NIS 200,000, be convicted of two unintentional tax offenses and resign from the Knesset. The signature in question was preceded by a publication stating that the resignation from the Knesset is not a demand of Mandelblit, but an initiative of Deri. In so doing he in fact obviates the discussion of the question of disgrace. Thus, he believes that he can remain chairman of Shas and control the party, and later be elected to the next Knesset and even be appointed minister – if he succeeds in the hurdle of the High Court.
Last November, the ombudsman announced his decision to file an indictment for tax offenses against Deri. This, after the hearing was held for him. As early as January, Mandelblit announced that he was considering prosecuting Deri subject to a hearing.