Yoni Yosef made his decision to run for a local political post, the Jerusalem City Council, some four years ago. However, at the behest of his mother, he placed his aspirations aside.

Yoni is a of HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Yosef ZT”L, as well as a grandchild to Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L. However, Yoni does expect to be placed in a reasonable slot in the new “Tav” (טב) party lineup and hopes to earn a seat at the council table.

Also appearing on the list were Aryeh King and Dov Kalmanovich, and Yosef understands he will be placed in one of the first three slots. He is currently working as an aide to Councilman King. Clearly this presents a threat to Shas, with party officials in Jerusalem aware that the young Yosef has been working with off-the-derech youths and he is rapidly earning a name for himself as well as popularity with the young Sephardim who in the past, voted for Shas.

King’s list earned two seats in the last election, and he is optimistic he will grow in the coming elections. One factor will be the decision announced by Eli Yishai and if he backs King’s list or announces his own under the Yachad banner.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)