Deri Accused Of Letting Others Cut Line At Knesset Cafeteria

It could be the first opportunity for MKs to exercise the bill that passed its preliminary reading yesterday, which okays the expulsion of a lawmaker if 90 votes can be secured.

Credit: מהיר חימה via Wikimedia Commons

Jerusalem, March 30 – Police officials announced today they had opened an investigation into the behavior of Minister of the Interior and Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri over allegations of corruption, including the charge that during his current term in the legislature, he routinely let people cut in front of him at the queue for meals at the Knesset cafeteria. Deri tweeted that he is cooperating with investigators.

Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh told reporters this morning (Wednesday) that the probe will collect evidence related to Deri’s current stint in the Knesset, which began almost a year ago. During that time, said Alsheikh, reports emerged that the minister allowed latecomers to enter the line where he stood, forcing those behind him to wait even longer for service.

“We received reports alleging that Minister Deri abused his position toward the front of the line to benefit his associates and those whose favor he sought to curry,” said the commissioner. “While the offenses allegedly took place at the special cafeteria reserved for legislators, and not the one open to the public, the essence of the violation remains the same.”

While the offense itself qualifies only as a misdemeanor, Deri’s previous conviction – and the jail sentence he served as a result – on corruption charges stemming from his first term as Minister of the Interior from 1988 to 1993 will cast a darker shadow on the veteran politician’s fortunes if formal charges are filed, says Voice of Israel legal affairs consultant Moshe Negbi. “This could have been the first opportunity for MKs to exercise the bill that passed its preliminary reading yesterday, the one that okays the expulsion of a lawmaker if 90 votes can be secured, but Deri isn’t an MK anymore – he’s just a minister – but his colleagues’ frustration at that fact might make things even worse,” said Negbi. “My conversations with MKs, mostly from the Opposition, but a few from Likud and Jewish Home, revealed some deep-seated resentment at Deri over his playing consistent favorites in the cafeteria line.” Negbi declined to cite specific names.

Political analysts say it is too soon to predict the ramifications of the investigation for the razor-thin majority of the governing coalition, of which Shas is a key member, with seven seats out of sixty-one. “It will take some courage on the part of Coalition MKs with a grudge or two over their relegation to the back of the line at lunchtime to shake up the current composition,” explained Hanan Crystal. “Not everyone is willing to do that, but it only takes one – and with Labor and Yisrael Beiteinu as potential replacements if the stars align properly, that’s a risk some might be willing to take.” He warned, however, that Labor Party Chairman Isaac Herzog may face internal opposition over a move to join the Coalition, considering his reputation for instigating food fights with rival and former party chairwoman Shelly Yechimovich.