Speaking to Israel Radio on Thursday morning 20 Cheshvan 5774, Bnei Torah Jerusalem Councilman Chaim Epstein denies allegations that he or a member of his party cut a deal with Mayor Nir Barkat before the municipal elections.
Epstein explained that while he did speak to some officials regarding a deputy mayor post, “there were no handshakes and no agreements whatsoever. Not only that, I never met with or shook the hand of Mayor Barkat.”
Epstein denied any allegations of wrongdoing, explaining that he ran a clean campaign. He admits that he will now speak with the mayor and hopes to find an appropriate slot in City Hall that will permit him to serve the tzibur.
When asked to explain why the party was launched, Epstein in an extremely polite fashion stated that HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita feels that Degel Hatorah is not exactly following the derech of HaGaon HaRav Shach ZT”L, adding “there are many nuances but this is not the forum.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
100% right
Wow, how can he continue to lie so brazenly? Perhaps he thinks that no chareidim listen to Israel Radio as HaRav Shach and Harav Auerbach surely forbid!!!
Mayor Barkat openly said straight after it became clear that he won the election, that his partner Chaim Epstein will be one of his deputies and receive the chareidi chinuch portfolio. No one speaks like that unless it was an agreed deal beforehand.
I suppose he must continue to protest his innocence as I cannot believe that HaRav Auerbach would allow such low behaviour as demanding from everyone to vote the “frum” candidate because Barkat and Leon are not chareidim whilst under the table arranging for Barkat to win and to receive payback. This is illegal and certainly very unethical.
#2 It was Barakat who made the offer to Epstein seeing him a most worthy candidate for the the position based on his itegrity for running on a separate ballot against all odds of being elected as matter of pricipal to provide the Chareidi tzibbur with a Chareidi candidate adhereing to the wishes of Moran hagaon Rav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita. There is nothing more ethical than adhering to Daas Torah and implemetig hishtadlut in secring the chareidi chinuch portfolio , a most crucial portfolio for protecting the chareidi tzibur’s rights in all that regards to their chinuch .