Is Israel’s High Court Tempting Fate?
Israel’s new government wants to radically reform the judicial system to prevent what they perceive as meddling from the High Court in government affairs. In light of this, was it wise for the High Court to disqualify MK Aryeh Deri from serving in the government?
People who don’t want to make waves expected the Supreme Court to be “smarter” than to rule against the ministerial appointment of Arye Dery, who was convicted of corruption… The High Court’s courageous ruling shook the foundations of the self-confidence hitherto displayed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his gang.
The problem wasn’t the ruling, which was just. Even its most ardent naysayers will struggle to challenge the court’s reasoning. Yet, if you take into consideration all the potential outcomes of Wednesday’s ruling, you can see that Israel is now one step closer to constitutional chaos.
Deri lied, but is it the court’s job to disqualify him over this? It’s not clear. In the lower court, Deri was convicted and was told that it was up to the Central Elections Committee to decide if his convictions carry moral turpitude.