Former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Eli Simchayof will join the list of Shas elected officials imprisoned following convictions on corruption charges. Simchayof’s case was heard along with the other Holyland real estate case defendants and the verdict was announced on Tuesday morning 17 Teves.

While originally sentenced to 3.5 years in prison by the Tel Aviv District Court, the Supreme Court in its 1,000-page decision reduced his sentence to 18 months, as was reported earlier. In a conversation with Kikar Shabbos News following the announcing of the verdict he said “I am grateful to the Creator of the World that this is over. The District Court acquitted me on two of four counts and today, the Supreme Court acquitted me on a third of the four and reduced by sentence by two years from 3.5 years in jail to 18 months”.

“We believe that everything is for the good and B’ezras Hashem I will get through this too and emerge healthy and stronger to continue being MeKadesh Shem Shomayim”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)