While the idea of dividing Beit Shemesh is not a new one, in the past, Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai rejected it. However, today, Likud Minister of the Interior Gideon Saar is open to thinking of such a move as the city’s veteran residents are seeking to split off from the growing chareidi population.

The older Sephardim who have been living in Beit Shemesh for many years, along with the dati leumi community, are not interested in becoming a minority population amid a chareidi majority. Many have left the city and more are thinking of making the move as the chareidi population grows. The reelection of the Shas-affiliated mayor is making the matter increasingly urgent for the residents who are thinking of relocating.

Interestingly, on the other far side of the spectrum, veteran chareidi resident and journalist Shmuel Chaim Peppenheim, a Toldos Aaron chossid and among the first residents of the Nachlah U’Menuchah area of the city writes on his Facebook page he is among those thinking of leaving the city. He explains he was among the first chareidi residents but life under Mayor Abutbul is hefker. Peppenheim points out “they wanted anash or פון אונזערע, but Abutbul is leading the city in the wrong direction.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)