After the sentencing hearing on Tuesday morning 13 Iyar in which he was sentenced to 3.5 years imprisonment, Jerusalem Councilman (Shas) Eli Simchayof suspended himself pending the outcome of his planned appeal to the Supreme Court.

Simchayof is a former deputy mayor and a longtime veteran of Jerusalem City Hall. His letter of suspension was brief and to the point, stating he is removing himself from his post at City Hall beginning Tuesday, 13 Iyar in light of the sentencing. He states he does plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The mayor’s office is checking with legal experts to determine if the suspended councilman is still officially a member of the city council. This is due to a previous legal position stating that a councilman convicted of a crime with a moral turpitude clause is automatically removed from the city council.

If the city’s legal experts rule that Simchayof is off the city council, then Asher Mishali will move into the council to replace him. If Simchayof appeals to the Supreme Court and emerges innocent, he will return to his Jerusalem City Halls post.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)