In the shadow of the Ashkenazi struggle at the Telz Stone local council, Shas chairman Minister Aryeh Deri decided that for a first time, the Sephardi faction would run its own list for seats on the local council.

At present, efforts are ongoing in Kiryat Yearim/Telz Stone to oust the incumbent council head, Avraham Rosenthal.

Shas’ intention to run a new party against the Ashkenazi list in the council threatens to further undermine the fragile unity of the Yishuv. So far, Shas has does not have representation on the council, as voters in the community are primarily affiliated with the litvish Degel Hatorah faction of Yahadut Hatorah. According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, in the national elections, Shas received about 250 votes in the community, which would leave the party with one seat on the local council if it runs its own list.

First, Shas will attempt to get representation on the existing list, and if this is unsuccessful, Deri is signaling Shas will run on its own.

This opens yet another front where there is machlokes and no achdus, as is the case in Elad and Beit Shemesh. Rather than chareidi parties banning together, they too are fractionalized, as is the case in the dati leumi camp.

MK Michael Malchieli, appointed by Shas to take responsibility for achieving Shas’ political aspirations in Telz Stone, is quoted telling Kikar News: “After years of neglect, Shas will be present in the upcoming elections in the community, but we will insist on accepting our political right that is due to us by law and not by grace.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)