Meir Sheetrit, who lost a bid to become the next president in the race against Reuven Rivlin, reveals a deal involving Shas led to Rivlin’s victory. According to Sheetrit, Rivlin promised to work to shut stores on Shabbos, earning Shas’ support in the election.

Sheetrit made the announcement in an interview on Channel 10. He stated that during the break between the first vote and the runoff vote Shas made the change and nine MKs voted for Rivlin in return for a commitment to close stores on Shabbos in Tel Aviv. Sheetrit added that he hopes the truth will become known one day. He stated the Shas MKs had promised him they would vote for him.

Sheetrit told Maariv that the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah instructed the MKs to vote for the Sephardi candidate in the second round but they did not do so.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)