The Return Of Aryeh Deri?

By Jason Gold

So imagine my surprise (or not) when in big bold headlines on Yediot's website, the story of the Israeli Left supporting former Shas head Aryeh Deri's attempt at re-entry into the Israel political scene was plastered across my computer monitor (see Ynetnews here). It seems that the Israeli Left, in full faux democracy outrage mode, is upset that a bill (the "Deri Bill") is making its way through the Knesset in order to ban potential poltical candidates previously convicted of moral terpitude. Such is the previous conviction of the aforementioned Aryeh Deri. It does give one pause though, to contemplate if the Left would rise to the same level of outrage if say, this pique-inducing proposed legislation had been called, oh, let's see, the "Feiglin Bill"?

Now, I am not here to opine one way or another on the wisdom of the Left, nor am I here to sit in judgement of Aryeh Deri. And I happen to agree with one premise of the Ynet article that everyone (well, almost) deserves a second chance. If you recall, Deri was the head of the Shas party in the Knesset when the infamous Oslo accords were passed in a cesspool of corruption only recently matched by the Congressional manipulations involved in the passing of ObamaCare. Shas' influence in getting Oslo passed greatly helped Rabin, Peres, Beilin, Aveneri, et al to rescue the murderer Arafat and his thugs from near-extinction, legitimized them and turned them loose in a murderous frenzy upon the hapless citizens of Israel under the illusion of peace. Deri was later charged and found guilty of various sundry crimes for which he served his time in jail. Upon release, he has now decided to again jump into the Israeli political scene.

Again, let me repeat, I am not here to judge Deri one way or another. In fact, I would hope that he has done his Teshuva/Repentance and has seen what mistakes were made in the past. However, let me regale you with a true story that may shed some light on the wisdom of Deri and his new-found friends on the Left. It seems Deri, while searching for backing and legitimacy in his new-found political quest phoned HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu, ZTK"L, and asked him for his blessing and backing. As told by one who was with Harav Eliyahu, ZTK"L at the time of the call, the great sage informed Deri that he would be happy to do so on the condition that Deri personally go to the grave sites of every victim of terrorism from the Oslo accords and beg forgiveness for what he had helped bring upon the people of Israel. The utter silence from Deri's end of the phone spoke volumes as HaRav Eliyahu gently but firmly hung up.

Every recent poll and indication shows the people of Israel slowly waking up from the Oslo-induced anesthesia with its accompanying cognitive dissonance and shifting ever rightward in their political stance. Simultaneously, it also shows the Left hurtling into the oblivion of irrelevancy, but not easily. If Deri wants to hook his chariot to them and they in turn want to champion for him, may it become a true match made in heaven or possibly some other venue. While I wish Deri no ill will personally, this could be fun to watch. Stay tuned...........