Deri withdraws from Jerusalem mayoral race
Former Shas chairman says he will not appeal decision to keep him from running to High Court. 'Although I am deeply disappointed by the court's decision, I respect it and call on my supports to do the same,' he says
Former Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri withdrew his candidacy from the capital's mayoral race on Monday afternoon following the Jerusalem District Court's refusal to overturn the moral turpitude clause from Deri's 1999 conviction.
Deri confirmed he would not appeal the decision to the High Court of Justice. In a written statement to the media, Deri wrote: "After having consulted with the great scholars of our time, with jurists, and with my friends and family, I have concluded that the ruling of the district court spells the end of the possibility of my running for city mayor in the upcoming elections in Jerusalem.
"Despite legal opinions that I have received, I chose not to appeal so as to refrain from leading the elections into place it shouldn't find itself in, and so as not to harm the other candidates," he added.
Deri also explained why he would not ask President Shimon Peres for a pardon. "I also rejected the recommendations to turn to the president; I have no intention or desire to return to the public arena through shortcuts. Despite the deep conviction of many that my conviction was unjust, I have decided to pay my debt to society in full."
The former MK stressed however that by law he should have been permitted to run, and also said the residents of Jerusalem should have been given the democratic right to vote for him.
"Although I am deeply disappointed by the court's decision, I respect it and call on my supports to do the
same," he wrote, concluding his statement with an expression of gratitude to those who helped his campaign, particularly from Shas.
Current Shas Chairman Eli Yishai has said he believes Deri should appeal the court's decision.
Deri, who announced his mayorship bid in early September, was convicted of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in 1999. His sentence included a moral turpitude clause, which according to the Israeli Criminal Code, prevents him from running for public office for seven years. Deri's petition sought a court order expunging the clause form his record.
