Yossi Chavilov, Jerusalem City Hall legal advisor, is among those who are not in any hurry to hold the elections for chief rabbonim of Yerushalayim, and since he does have a say in the process, he seems content to do his part to continue causing delays. Much of the delay surrounds the yet-unsolved dispute as to selecting the delegates, the gabba’im from city shuls.
The crux of the dispute surrounds the fact that while chareidim only represent one-third of the population of the capital; they make up two-thirds of the body that will select the rabbis. The dati leumi and secular camps are demanding representation that is commensurate with their population base in the city.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is at odds with Chavilov, with the ministry stating the larger shuls must have a larger say, while Chavilov is only interested in increasing the role of the secular and non-chareidi representation on the selection committee. For now, it remains unclear just when the election will be held, but it is clear that it is on hold, indefinitely.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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