Aryeh Makhlouf Deri, commonly known as Aryeh Deri, is an influential Israeli politician and spiritual leader who co-founded the Shas party in 1984 alongside Rabbi Ovadia Yosef to represent the interests of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews. Born on February 17, 1959, in Meknes, Morocco, he immigrated to Israel with his family at age nine, settling in Bat Yam. Raised religiously, he studied at prestigious yeshivas including Porat Yosef in Jerusalem, shaping his ultra-Orthodox worldview. Deri transformed Shas into a major political force and has served as Israel's Minister of the Interior multiple times, including from 1992-1993, 1996-1999, 2018-2021, and again in December 2022 under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when he was also appointed Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Health. However, he was dismissed in January 2023 following a Supreme Court ruling that his appointment violated legal standards due to his prior conviction. In 1999, he was convicted of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in a high-profile corruption scandal involving misuse of public funds, serving about two and a half years of a three-year sentence (2000-2002). Despite this, he made a political comeback, holding other ministerial roles including Minister of the Economy (2015-2016) and Minister for the Development of the Negev and Galilee (2015-2019). Deri has faced multiple allegations of corruption, including a 2021 indictment for tax fraud and breach of trust related to nonprofit funding, with the case ongoing as of 2023. As the long-time leader of Shas, he wields considerable influence in Israel's coalition governments, leveraging the party's support for religious and social welfare policies favoring ultra-Orthodox communities, such as education, military service exemptions, and socioeconomic support. He remains a polarizing figure, admired by supporters for advocating for marginalized groups but condemned by opponents for corruption allegations that have shadowed his career, including criticism for alleged cronyism and using political power for personal gain.