Aryeh Deri has undergone a health transformation in recent years. At the meetings held in the past, rogelach and burkas were served as is the best tradition in the ministerial offices. Deri decided to put an end to it, shed close to 20 kilograms of his weight and today he is served dates, apricots and many types of nuts (not roasted!). He has trouble breaking free from only one negative habit - the amount of coffee.
Deri can drink five, seven, and during periods when he needs to stay focused even more than ten cups of coffee a day.
It's his fuel - he explains.
In the last two days, the amounts of coffee around Deri have been spilling.
Dealing with the court's ruling in his case was dramatic, requiring concentration, thought, planning ways of action and reaction.
Together with the cabinet work, and the two offices he took on, it requires never-ending vigilance.
The coordinated team
On Monday, Netanyahu and Deri sat together.
Coffee was also served there.
The two talk a lot about a lot of things, this time they focused on the expected verdict in Deri's case.
The descriptions of "Shas demanding Likud", or "Shas threats to dissolve the government" or even just "an atmosphere of tension" because Deri does not intend to resign are far from the truth.
It is doubtful if there is a coordinated and tight-knit team in Israeli politics today like Deri and Netanyahu.
Netanyahu trusts Deri sometimes even more than some people in his own office.
He respects him, his age, his experience.
Deri appreciates Netanyahu, thinks he is brilliant and thorough.
Perfect match.
At the meeting, the two agreed on the course of action if the judges determine that he cannot serve as minister - Deri will state that he does not intend to resign, and will add that this is a problem for Netanyahu and the coalition.
"Perfect match".
Deri and Netanyahu, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
A message to the right-wing nationalist public
Well, no, it's not a confrontation, it's an extension of the struggle.
The two wish to say that this is not just a legal proceeding between Deri's personal affairs and the court.
They want to say that this is a broader matter, of the coalition, of the right.
These messages are addressed to the right-wing nationalist public.
The one who is in favor of the legal reform will get a boost, and the one who is a right-wing nationalist but has reservations about the reform and needs further proof of why amendments are needed.
Contrary to intimidation about "constitutional chaos" or "blood that will be spilled", Deri and Netanyahu's plan is ready: the High Court, as expected, says that Deri cannot be a minister, and Netanyahu will have no choice but to fire him. Deri and Netanyahu do not plan to break the rules and respect the law - but Nor to bow your head or make it easy for the court.
On the way to correcting the cause of reasonableness.
Minister Deri with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Levin (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
It may go through a dramatic press conference with the participation of coalition members and a sharp speech by Netanyahu about being forced to act against his will and fire Deri.
Along the way, they will shout the cry "The voters chose but the judges disqualify" and the cry "Amendment of the reason for reasonableness".
Levin's press conference, Hayut's reaction, the demonstrations, are just the trailer.
Deri's disqualification is one of the most dramatic moments in everything related to legal reform.
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