Once again, as was the case in the last Jerusalem municipality election, many chareidim in the city blame Gur and Belze for the failure, in this case, the reelection of Nir Barkat for a second term.

Yahadut Hatorah MK Rav Yaakov Litzman, a Gerrer chossid, is the logical place to ask when one wishes to understand the Gerre Rebbe’s position regarding the election.

Litzman told Israel Radio how each individual voted, but undoubtedly many voted for Leon, some left blank ballot slips perhaps, some for Epstein and even some for Barkat”.

Litzman explains that he will clarify matters. The Gerre Rebbe Shlita did not to instruct chassidim to vote for a particular candidate but this was not the rebbe’s decision alone, but it was decided upon be gedolei yisrael, the Agudas Yisrael Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael.

Litzman explained once the admorim made their decision the members of the council complied.

Regarding Moshe Leon’s failed bid to become the mayor of Yerushalayim, Litzman stated that “Perhaps the council did not support him due to his role in cutting yeshiva funding and cutting monthly child allowance payments”, explaining that Leon has no one to blame but himself.

Litzman made it clear, that in his eyes, Leon has not been an ally of the chareidi tzibur and therefore, he is owed nothing.

Litzman added that in this election the Lieberman, Yisrael Beitenu, Moshe Leon ticket earned one seat at the Jerusalem City Council, so in essence, Likud/ Beitenu failed to back its own candidate and deliver the goods. “Once voters are told by their rebbe they can vote their heart that is exactly what they did but Lieberman did not do his job as promised.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)