The state prosecutor has decided to move ahead with a criminal indictment for election fraud against the mayor of the Shomron chareidi city of Emanuel, Ezra Gershi of Shas. He is suspected of election fraud in the last municipal elections, for allegedly providing preferential services to the head of the local Chabad community, Rabbi Chaim Kizner, in return for his support in elections.

The suspicion is that in the framework of the last municipal elections, Gershi promised Rabbi Kizner and his faction members that if he was elected to head the council, he would grant them benefits, including those defined as “material, and personal,” so that they would influence members of the community to vote for him. Gershi, who ran for mayor – was elected.

For this reason, the State Attorney’s Office’s conclusion after the investigation conducted by the National Fraud Investigation Unit of the Israel Police is that Gershi compromised the integrity of the elections and adversely affected them.

Gershi was considered to be a dominant representative who controlled events in Emanuel. He would have continued maintaining control using his proven tactics in the upcoming election, but the indictment will throw a wrench in those plans.

According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, a Vaad Rabbonim was formed in Emanuel ahead of the upcoming elections, consisting of representatives of the various communities in the city, towards selecting a candidate to run the city who is acceptable to all. Today, following tens years of Gershi running the city’s affairs, it appears the candidate will be affiliated with Degel Hatorah.

Shas has three representatives in the local council, the Chassidim has two representatives and there are two others representing the Sephardi tzibur, made up of the Talalei Orot and Torat Emanuel factions.

Attorney Sharon Nahari of Nahari & Co., representing Ezra Gershi, said in response: “We regret that the State Prosecutor’s Office decided to indict an individual who devoted his entire life to public activity and assistance for others. Ezra Gershi is a beloved council head who has done a great deal for the residents of the Emmanuel Regional Council. This is a man with values that the indictment does not agree with, and I am certain that after we present our arguments in court he will be acquitted of all suspicion.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)