Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove Aryeh Deri, the recently appointed far-right interior and health minister, saying he is not eligible to hold public office due to his multiple criminal convictions. 

Tel Aviv, January 22 (RHC)-- Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove Aryeh Deri, the recently appointed far-right interior and health minister, saying he is not eligible to hold public office due to his multiple criminal convictions. 

The high court's ruling comes as Netanyahu’s new ultranationalist and ultrareligious coalition attempts to disempower the judiciary.  Analysts say the decision could either lead to a constitutional crisis or the dissolution of the weeks-old government.

In related news, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where Sullivan reiterated Biden’s “bone deep” commitment to Israel.  Sullivan also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, who called on the U.S. to put pressure on the new government to halt the killing of Palestinians and its plans to expand illegal settlements.

The meeting came as Israeli forces killed two more Palestinians during a raid in Jenin Thursday. The victims were identified as 26-year-old Adham Jabarin and 57-year-old Jawad Farid Bawaqta, a high school teacher and father of six, who was delivering first aid to Jabarin when he was shot dead by a sniper. 

At least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces so far this year, including four children.