Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri was fired from his positions as Health Minister and Interior Minister and acting deputies were appointed in his place, but in the last week he held regular working meetings at his home with the professional ranks of both ministries, as well as with those from the Ministry of Finance.
According to a report Wednesday in The Marker, the meetings were attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior, as well as senior officials of the Budget Division and the Accountant General of the Finance Ministry who, among other things, dealt with preparation for the state budget and the upcoming Law of Arrangements.
The report also said that Shas ministers Michael Malkieli, who was appointed Acting Interior Minister, and Yoav Ben-Tzur, who was appointed Acting Health Ministers, did not take part in the meeting.
Shas said in response, "As chairman of the Shas movement, Deri signed coalition agreements concerning government offices headed by party members. As the head of the party and one of the heads of the coalition, he met with professional officials and Finance Ministry personnel in order to bring about the realization of the coalition agreements in the best way for the welfare of the public."
The Ministry of Finance stated that "Aryeh Deri serves as the chairman of the Shas party which is a partner in the coalition. In preparation for the approval of the state budget, the Ministry of Finance holds, as is customary, a dialogue with the heads of the coalition on issues concerning the budget."