It has been three years since elections but the wheels of the Israeli judicial system are still working as indictments were handed down on Beit Shemesh activists from Shlomei Emunim for alleged criminal activities pertaining to that municipal election. Police about eight months ago announced indictments are likely in the case, which was handled by the 433 Unit, Israel’s equivalent of the FBI.

The defendants were affiliated with the Koach list, the local representative of Shlomei Emunim. Indictments were handed down against (names on file) SL, MF, DT, AB, YB, YM and ME. While they were all summoned to preliminary hearings in recent months, those hearings did not change the case against them and the prosecution moved ahead with the original indictments. Charges against them include conspiracy to commit a crime, fraud, illegal voting and other elections-related crimes.

They allegedly acted to influence the outcome of the elections in 2013, and used illegal means to achieve their goal. This included passing identity cards to others, wearing disguises, double voting and more. When police raided the apartment rented by the party for the elections over 150 identity cards were found on the premises along with disguises for men and women.

In fact, the first Beit Shemesh elections was disqualified and a second elections ordered, but to the dismay of the secularists, the results were similar and Shas-affiliated Mayor Rabbi Moshe Abutbul continues serving as the city’s leader.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)