Shas MK Eli Yishai has backed out of the Jerusalem mayoral race. It should be pointed out that he never publically announced his candidacy; rather he ordered a poll to ascertain what his chances are as well as beginning back room talks with askanim towards building a support base and assessing his chances in the election.
The decision is another blow to the former Shas leader, who has been ousted and replaced by party founder and his predecessor, Aryeh Deri.
It appears that Yishai’s decision is based on the fact that polls show he is not the viable candidate he believed he would be. At present, candidates appear to include the incumbent, Mayor Nir Barkat and former Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky. Shas has yet to announce which candidate it plans to support in the race.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Go ELI go, you are an ISH EMES, respected by many. Your day will come to return to Shas, if u will want to then.
YWN, I am surprised at you!! Right now Moshe Lyon (the Likud candidate) has the best chance. Unless Lupoliansky runs (which is still very unclear as he has the Holyland issue still pending), the ashkenazi chareidim will probably vote for him. Many chilonim will vote him too, and unless Shas put up an attractive candidate, the sfardim will vote him too.
I wonder what keeping Aryeh Darei’s seat warm buys you in Israeli politics?