For those who feel the Shas party is capitalizing on the petira of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, add this to the list. In the hope of gaining additional votes in Tuesday’s 18 Cheshvan 5774 municipal elections, Shas has ordered two million Yahrzeit candles to distribute nationwide.
As one can see from the photos, the candles say “in memory of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L”, as well as displaying the party name/logo. It also says לאורו נלך”” and bears of photo of the late gadol. Using phone volunteers and a pyramid distribution system, tens of thousands of people if not more are involved in distributing the candles nationwide by Election Day.
Hiddush organization’s Uri Regev accuses Shas of violating election law and the organization is doing what it can to stop distribution. Hiddush calls on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to file charges against responsible Shas officials.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
I don’t know why YWN follows the lead of Chareidi-bashing Israeli media. Shas is giving out candles in memory of the party’s founder and mentor for most of their voting constituents. The marketing concept is solid and is sufficiently tasteful in the very distasteful realm of Israeli politics. I certainly expect Uri Rekev to raise a ruckus. He only wishes he had a trinket with a fraction of the impact the candles will have.
The SHASniks just don’t get it.
These actions are a bizayon to the memory of Maran Yosef, even his daughter Rebbetzin Adina Bar Shalom has spoken out against this behavior.
I am not usually a Shas supporter – but HaRav Ovadia zt”l was the FOUNDER of Shas and did such things in his lifetime as well! Why would he be opposed to using his memory to further HIS party? Stop the bashing and think!