After Rechovot Mayor Shuki Forer suspends himself after being charged with a crime that carries a moral turpitude clause, former Shas MK Rachamim Malul will become the city’s first chareidi mayor.

Forer is accused of illegally approving a major tender which allegedly netted him NIS 80,000. In the plea bargain agreement, the mayor will step down and serve 220 hours of community service and pay a NIS 75,000 fine.

Since the court ruled the conviction resulting from the plea bargain agreement carries the moral turpitude clause, the mayor is compelled to step down from public office. Malul, the deputy mayor, will assume the title of mayor.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)