With hours remaining to submit names for the municipal elections around Israel, the Peles Yerushalmi branch of Degel Hatorah is signaling plans to announce a candidate to oppose Moshe Leon in the Jerusalem mayoral race. According to a Kikar Shabbat report, talmidim of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach are hoping to announce the name in time to register for the election.

Kikar quotes Boaz Naki, who is close to Rav Auerbach, explaining the rav is weighing the possibilities and he will do what he believes is best for Am Yisrael. Naki believes that the Peles list will earn at least four seats in the Jerusalem City Council.

It would appear the ongoing conflict between the Agudah and Degel factions of Yahadut Hatorah in the Jerusalem race is a factor in what is taking place. There was a secret meeting including Yaakov Litzman of Agudah and Bnei Brak Deputy Mayor Yaakov Zeibert of Degel towards reaching agreement but to date, the sides have not reached a decision as to demands from Degel for additional seats in the Jerusalem race. Degel feels that with the population shift in the capital there are now more litvish than chassidish Yahadut Hatorah voters and therefore, Degel should get the upper hand of the 60:40 split, not Agudah.

The Kikar report adds that it was made known to Agudas Yisrael officials that the Peles faction plans to run on an independent list in the Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak and Modi’in Illit elections.

Agudah now feels even stronger about not acquiescing to Degel demands since there is a split in the litvish faction and many Degel voters will move to the Peles faction in the election.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)