MK (Shas) Rav Chaim Amsellem is contemplating vacating his Knesset seat to accept a post as a Chief Rabbi of Ashdod. In the past he served as a rav of a community in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
Amsellem is a member of well known Abuchatzera family, with the rabbinical family supporting the move, aware of the fact Ashdod is home to a large community of Moroccan immigrants and they feel Rav Amsellem is suitable for the post.
 
It is also reported that Maran HaGaon Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita spoke with Rav Amsellem in the past, telling him that his true place is in the Torah world, where a great future awaits him.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)