The embarrassment at Shas • Minister Azoulay: "There is no basis for the rumor. Returning to full-time work""

January 4, 2018   

Minister of Religious Services, MK David Azoulay, denies reports that he intends to resign from the Knesset soon, within the framework of Norwegian law, in favor of his son Yinon, who serves as a close advisor to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. "There is no basis for the rumor about my expected resignation from the Knesset. I have been and am in continuous contact with the chairman of the movement, Aryeh Deri, and we are fully coordinated," wrote Azoulay, who returned to his home this evening. Azoulay clarified: "I intend to come and participate in the votes next week in the Knesset," he added and attacked the media: "Media personnel are expected to conduct a minimum investigation before publishing completely baseless news." Minister Azoulay's entourage tells Haredim 10 that he clearly and explicitly said that he would be coming to the Knesset next week. They also say: "Instead of fighting for his health, he should be dealing with stupid headlines - and it's a shame that this is the case." "The Minister of Religious Services will return to full-time work on Sunday next week, God willing," the insider explained. In a tweet, the minister wrote: ""I recently completed non-life-threatening medical treatment. I would like to thank the medical team for their dedication. I am at home and feeling well and intend to return to the Knesset next week as a full member and return to full activity in all committees, votes and meetings. Shabbat Shalom to all the House of Israel.". Although in recent days Shas Chairman, Minister Aryeh Deri, denied the possibility that the Minister of Religious Services would resign from the Knesset in favor of his son, this evening (Thursday), journalist Amit Segal published on Channel 2 that Minister Azoulay would resign under Norwegian law. According to the report, the next in line on the list - Danny Saida and Avi Amsalem - will resign from the list, and the son Yinon, who is in 16th place on the Shas list for the Knesset, will be sworn in as a member of Knesset. Avi Amsalem has already resigned from the Shas list for the Knesset in order to be appointed deputy mayor of Ashdod, but Shas claims that "this has nothing to do with Azoulay." Asher Medina, secretary of the Shas faction, said this evening: "Minister Azoulay will come to the Knesset next week for a vote on the Supermarket Law. The entire issue of his resignation from the Knesset under Norwegian law in favor of his son is in his hands and at his discretion. "Currently, his son Yinon is next in line on the list, and when the minister decides, his son will enter the Knesset immediately. All other published reports are unfounded.".

Yinon Azoulay with Aryeh Deri. Photo by Yaakov Cohen

Minister David Azoulay has recently been dealing with a serious illness and is undergoing treatment in a hospital, and because of this, he is having difficulty getting to the Knesset. A few weeks ago, after one of his treatments, he was almost forced to come from his sickbed in the middle of the night after a difficult treatment - to ensure that the Supermarket Law would be approved on first reading. Only an offset made by MK Ilan Galon of Meretz left him in the hospital.