The Yesh Atid party candidate in the Arab mayoral elections, attorney Nissan Ben-Chamu emerged the victor in the local race. SMS text messages were sent to Russian speaking voters on Election Day explaining Gerre Chassidim are voting in large numbers and “they will win if you don’t get out and vote for Ben-Chamu”.

On the party’s official Facebook page there is also a posting that does not speak of the chareidi tzibur fondly. “Gerre Chassidim have filed a petition to the Supreme Court in an effort to steal the election, seeking to register chassidim who just came to the city as residents” explaining after cutting a deal with the opponent they are now trying to arrange for chassidim who are not part of the city to vote”.

Ben-Chamu stated “It’s time to say ‘enough!’ It is time to stop selling out the city through political deal-making. Get out and vote for we want a different Arad!”

There are approximately 1,000 families affiliated with Gur living in Arad today in addition to Chabad chassidim and the dati leumi tzibur. The chareidi tzibur today comprises about 20% of the city’s population. The chareidim and dati leumi voters backed the losing candidate.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)