While Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Leon has a fair chance according to most polls to unseat Mayor Nir Barkat, it will depend on the chareidi vote and the complacency of non-religious and dati leumi voters.

Based on previous elections, voting in the chareidi sector will be quite high while the other sectors usually signal less interest. This time however pollsters feel the dati leumi community will be voting in larger numbers. However, Leon’s failure to receive the endorsement of the Belzer, Vishnitzer and Gerrer Rebbes Shlita may result in greater chareidi apathy and a lower voter turnout than usual.

This may also negatively impact Yahadut Hatorah’s representation on the city council.

And on a national level, a loss for Leon will be viewed as a major political failure for Shas leader Aryeh Deri, who brokered the deal with Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, promising to deliver on the chareidi vote.

As recently as last week, Deri told Kol Berama Radio that the chareidim must come out and vote to defeat Barkat. He detailed more is at stake than the elections in the capital for if he can show Lieberman he made good on his promise, he will have the leverage to begin moving Lieberman to break the current coalition. Deri warned that failure in the Jerusalem elections will have widespread ramifications for the frum community as the current coalition including Bayit Yehudi and Yesh Atid as major players will continue to gezeiros on bnei yeshivos and avreichim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)