Aryeh Deri, former Shas leader and Interior Minister, was released from prison this morning - an hour and a half earlier than planned. The hasty release was designed to head off planned celebrations in Deri\'s honor - celebrations to which the former inmate has expressed his strong objections. He was released after serving 2/3 of his three-year sentence. Speaking to reporters outside the prison, Deri said, \"I have no anger, no desire for vengeance. I have nothing against anyone, neither within [the party] nor without. I will continue to fight to prove my innocence… Now that I have seen what goes on on the fringe of society, I would like to dedicate myself to individuals and families that need help.\" Party leader Interior Minister Eli Yeshai called on Deri, his rival, to return to the party, but Deri politely turned him down.



It was reported earlier that Deri plans to move to a community in the Galilee for a few months, where he will study Torah and attempt to map out future plans.