Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika is going to be a state witness in the corruption trial involving a number of officials from the Yisrael Beitenu party.

Mesika was arrested in December 2014 as part of the Israel Police major investigation into widespread political corruption. The investigation led to dozens of arrests including a Yisrael Beitenu party deputy minister and former minister, as well as ministry high-level civil servants including director-generals.

Mesika has been serving in his current post since 2007. He was reelected to a second term in 2012. Mesika has been actively working to send a different message regarding life in the Shomron and elsewhere in Yehuda and Shomron, arranging many trips to the area for VIPs and notables, including members of the press from Israel and around the world. He is a resident of Yishuv Alon Moreh and the father of five children.

Mesika was enlisted by the prosecution to become a state witness in the case. He is expected to announce that he is taking a leave of absence from his position of head of the Shomron Council.

It is added that during the investigation, Israel Police officials told the media that Mesika is not suspected of accepting bribes but rather acting to advance his regional council, unlike some of the other players who stand accused of profiting illegally.

Mr. Yossi Dagan will serve in Mesika’s position beginning immediately pending the outcome of his trial.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)