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Israeli cabinet approves nomination of new interior minister

Xinhua, January 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the nomination of a convicted lawmaker, Aryeh Deri, as new Interior Minister, twenty years after he was charged with corruption during his tenure in the post.

Members of the Israeli government voted unanimously in favor of appointing Aryeh Deri, an orthodox lawmaker heading the Shas party, to the post of Interior Minister, several weeks after outgoing minister Silvan Shalom resigned due to sexual harassment allegations.

Aryeh Deri filled the position of Interior Minister in the early 1990's and was forced to resign in 1993 over corruption charges. He was found guilty of two counts of bribery, three counts of fraud and breach of trust, fraud under aggravating circumstances and falsifying corporate documents in 1999, and served a prison sentence between 2000 and 2003.

Israel's Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein wrote last week that the appointment is "not extremely unreasonable," after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked for his opinion.

Deri currently serves as the minister in charge for the Negev, Galilee and the Periphery territories, a portfolio he will continue to hold on to in addition to his post as Interior Minister, and he previously served as minister of economy in the current government.

Following the cabinet's approval, the nomination must also be approved by the Knesset (Israeli parliament). As the coalition as a majority in the parliament, the nomination is expected to pass in a vote later this week. Enditem