Shas’ Jerusalem leader former Councilman Eli Simchayoff may find himself in a realistic slot in the party lineup to enter the 19th Knesset. Simchayoff was ousted from his deputy Jerusalem mayor post for his connection to the ongoing Holyland real estate trial, which involved a number of defendants including former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat literally had the deputy mayor’s computer disconnected as he wished to place as much distance as possible between City Hall and the Holyland defendant.

While in the eyes of Barkat he is persona non grata, for Shas remains a viable candidate and his ongoing trial apparently does not disqualify him from moving up Shas’ ladder.

With the return of Aryeh Deri the former deputy mayor finds himself in a comfortable place and it may lead to his entry to Knesset. It would appear for Shas, the ongoing trial against Simchayoff is irrelevant, operating on the premise one is innocent until proven guilty.

Shas has come under its share of criticism over the years for a number of its senior members have been compelled to leave politics and were convicted of white collar crimes and imprisoned. In the case of Aryeh Deri, he served his sentence and the mandatory moral turpitude hiatus period before reentering politics, seven years, has elapsed.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)