Three months after being convicted the Beersheva District Court on Tuesday morning 22 Sivan sentenced Emanuel Elisha, who was an aide/gabbai to HaRav Yoram Abarjil of Netivot. He was convicted of making threats and conspiracy to commit a crime during local elections in Netivot about 18 months ago.

The court accepted the plea bargain agreement reached between the prosecution and defense, which compels Elisha to do five months community service and pay a 5,000 NIS fine.

Rabbonim in Netivot were divided as to which candidate to back. There was the camp led by Rav Effergan, which backed Mesika and the camp led by Rav Abarjil which backed the incumbent, Yechiel Zohar. The division among the camps led to tensions and violence at times.

Elisha enlisted the assistance of local underworld figure Shalom Domrani, calling upon him to threaten the other camp on Election Day towards ensuring a successful reelection effort for their candidate.

Domrani was indicted and convicted, and he has already served his term.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)