Three years after the election process was eliminated in Modi’in Illit, an incriminating tape has surfaced, one that places Mayor Yaakov Gutterman in a compromising position, reports Channel 10 News “HaMakor” investigative news program.

As the report states, Gutterman ran unopposed in the election. Opponents simply dropped out of the race at the time. Yisrael Rosen reveals a tape that shows a different side of the elections. Police investigated and recommended moving ahead with criminal charges against the mayor, but the case disappeared at the attorney general’s level and Gutterman continues serving as mayor.

The video begins in a café in Tel Aviv, with the involved parties providing information, explaining they had to do this away from the community since “one who cooperates with the media and washes his dirty laundry in public will have to answer for his actions”.

They explain that anyone opening his mouth will bear the wrath of the mayor’s retaliation in one form or another, up to the point one may be compelled to move to another location.

Modi’in Illit today has 50,000 residents and over the past decade, there have not held democratic elections. Mayor Gutterman is now serving in his third term, backed by the community rabbonim. In the last election, 2008, Yoni Mizrachi and Chaim Chubara were among the city’s residents who had different plans, wishing to run an independent list, but ultimately, this did not occur.

Rav Golan Chasidi at the time was the administrator of the Ohel Torah Talmid Torah in the city and was on the Mizrachi list was a recipient of some of the threats in a phone conversation. Chasidi needed city permits to continue operating his talmid torah.

The following conversation are from the audio tapes aired by Channel 10.

Gutterman:

“I hope you are not engaging in nonsense and planning nonsensical actions in the city”. If you are, someone else will take care of things. You know I don’t talk; I am a politician so I speak with you candidly. If I hear that you are doing nonsense, then you will get it from the land, air and sea. Do you understand? You personally!

The deputy mayor, Gideon HaCohen was also involved. He called Chasidi too:

Chasidi:

Tell me please, what happened with the list I gave you regarding the permits? Where are we holding?

HaCohen:

Did you speak with Gutterman?

Chasidi:

I don’t understand.

HaCohen:

He does not want to do anything to move things along after he heard things. For him, it is like getting a knife in his back.

Chasidi:

What did he hear that I am backing Yoni?

HaCohen:

Yes. Particularly since after he finally calmed things down, suddenly, from our side there is someone getting up, and who is this? People that were believed to be okay with Gutterman. Do you understand?

Chasidi:

What is the connection between the two can you explain?

HaCohen:

I told you a thousand times that one needs to be wise not correct.

When approached by Channel 10 to comment, Deputy Mayor Rav Gideon HaCohen stated:

“I cannot speak about these things. Permit government agencies to do what they know how to do best, and wait.

Channel 10 explains that in some chareidi communities, if a candidate is backed by the rabbonim, then he can be instated and elections are not mandatory. The report adds that in Gutterman’s case, he is backed by MK Moshe Gafne, head of the Degel HaTorah faction, his ticket to city hall. Being close to askanim affiliated with HaGaon HaRav Shteinman Shlita and being from Bnei Brak have also contributed to his firm hold on the number one seat in the city.

In 2008 there was a new event, with Yaakov Feldman announcing he was running against Gutterman for the mayoral slot.

Channel 10:

How did he threaten you?

Feldman:

The rabbis called me personally, actually more frequently to my wife. I was raised abroad and the thug tactics synonymous with politics here is somewhat foreign to me. The chareidi tzibur as a whole feels they receive a dictate, how and what to think. Anyway, they phoned my wife and told her “if you really care about your husband, see to it that he drops out of the race”.

10:

Just like that?

Feldman:

Just like that. Sound familiar? Remember, this is not Lod, not Ramle, not New York or California. It’s Modi’in Illit, a quiet town. It became clear to me that I was not the only one.

Gutterman:

We want to be nice and help everyone. We are trying to be good but it appears a soton seems to have influenced you by putting crazy ideas in your head.

Now, erev Rosh Hashanah and you, a director of a talmid torah need things. You should busy yourself just with your talmid torah, to advance the interests of your students. Now, if you wish to sacrifice your dear children on the political altar – then continue engaging in nonsense. You should address your talmid torah and that is what you should be doing.

Chasidi:

That is exactly what I have been doing for the past eight years.

Gutterman:

What are you talking about? Are you not playing with a full deck? Do you have an idea what you are playing with her?

Chasidi:

Fine. Fine.

Gutterman:

Are you some kind of big Popeye or something?

Modi’in Illit resident Chaim Chubara:

After eight years in Modi’in Illit during which no one knows what is taking place, you cannot ask anything about the goings on in city hall – everything is locked up like a bunker. There is no transparency. There is no information, nothing. Everything depends on one man and his confidants. In 2008 our story was born. We submitted our list for the election.

Prior to submitting the list, Gutterman invited Golan Chasidi and Yoni Mizrachi to his office Channel 10 reports to persuade them to back down.

Chasidi:

My current situation being what it is, today I have nothing to lose.

Gutterman:

Today you are HaRav Golan Chasidi. If gedolei yisrael will speak about you tomorrow, you may indeed have a problem. You could be hurt.

Chasidi:

Gedolei yisrael will speak about me?

Gutterman:

Okay – this is not getting anywhere. This conversation is going nowhere. You are not backing down. Are you looking to commit suicide? Are you simply talking nonsense? You’re a man of education and have a responsibility to our children so do what it is you are supposed to do regarding education. Are you going to do things without being backed by gedolei yisrael?  Who are you? Are you so strong?

In response to the clandestine recordings, Gutterman told Channel 10:

The things I said were said regarding a conversation with me.

It appears the pressure campaign was successful and the incumbent ran unopposed once again. Rabbi Karp, who was acting on behalf of Gutterman, was sent as an intermediary to reach agreement with the opponents to back down and drop out of the race. They were offered salaries and positions in the municipality in exchange for their cooperation.

Mizrachi:

The room was closed and people who came along were compelled to wait outside. I felt threatened and at one point wanted to leave. I asked when I can I leave. I was told that until I sign I am not leaving the room. I checked with the head of the elections, asking him just what is going on here. How much longer are you willing to permit this to go on? He told me ‘for as long as necessary, until they phone me and tell me to stop’.

Understand, I am inside a room with them, alone and I have no way of contacting the outside world. My cell phone batter died and I realize I am alone. I realize there was nothing to do other than sign the form that I am backing out of the election. I signed but wrote it is under pressure that I am backing out. The head of the election asked ‘do you realize what you wrote here?’ and I said yes, I don’t care. He then grabbed the form from my hand.

After the elections, Mizrachi detailed the events in a letter to the Ministry of the Interior, demanding an investigation. The ministry forwarded it along to the attorney general. It was then sent to the police and an investigation was launched. 18 months ago police recommended prosecuting Gutterman but the attorney general has done nothing.

The State of Israel simply permits him to do what he wants, ruling over us as he does. I wrote to everyone and no one acts. They simply roll their eyes when it has anything to do with the chareidi community.

In response to the report, the Justice Ministry states the matter is under investigation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)