Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu Removes Top Minister Over Court Ruling

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed a top minister from office Sunday following a Supreme Court ruling against Aryeh Deri's appointment which has shaken the nascent cabinet.

"It is with a heavy heart, with great sorrow and with an extremely difficult feeling that I am forced to transfer you from your position as a minister in the government," Prime Minister Netanyahu told Aryeh Deri during a cabinet meeting, according to a statement from the premier's office.

Leader of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish party Shas, Mr Deri was appointed health and interior minister last month as part of a coalition deal following Israel's November 1 elections.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that Benjamin Netanyahu "must remove Deri from his position" due to a tax evasion conviction last year.

The veteran politician relinquished his parliamentary seat at the time. The judges said Aryeh Deri made it appear as if he had inten

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)