After his victory in the Jerusalem mayoral race last month, Mayor Nir Barkat announced that while he does not disqualify anyone from entering his city government, “things will not be the way they were in the past”, which chareidim understood was a clear message. Chareidi lawmakers believe the mayor will retaliate against Degel Hatorah for supporting Moshe Leon in the mayoral race.

It is now being reported, albeit unofficially, that the mayor has already told veteran Shas councilman Eli Simchayof that he will not receive a deputy mayoral slot due to legal proceedings against him. The message delivered to Shas officials is that Barkat has absolutely nothing against Simchayof, but his legal situation prevents appointing to a deputy mayoral slot. Simchayof played the discrimination card back in 2012 when Barkat ousted him from his deputy slot due to allegations of law-breaking against him.

Kikar Shabbat adds that “the word is” the mayor will also be bypassing Yitzchak Pindrus because of personal issues with him. Degel officials are already shouting “the mayor is taking revenge” while aides to the mayor issue an adamant denial.

Gur, Belz, Vishnitz and the Bnei Torah split off party did not back Leon, but Degel did and it is believed Barkat will not be forgiving when assembling his local government.

Degel officials’ fear that Pindrus will be left without a portfolio in city government due to tensions between him and the mayor. This would be a major blow to chareidi interests in the city. Pindrus was bold in his adherence to gedolim shlita and went head-to-head with the mayor on many an issue. Kikar quotes Degel officials adding “Pindrus paid a high price in the elections. It cannot be denied that in recent years he was affiliated with the people who launched HaPeles and the Degel split-off party.”

“How can a public servant as Pindrus get such a stabbing in the back after sacrificing everything for the tzibur he represents and adhering to the words of gedolim shlita” the Degel source is quoted as saying.

The source continues that it is believed if Pindrus does become the mayor’s sacrificial lamb, Degel may opt for opposition in Safra Square rather than acquiesce to the mayor’s plan. Many feel that if Degel is in the coalition, the deputy mayoral slot will go to Yisrael Kellerman, not Pindrus, since the former enjoys widespread support from local rabbonim and Yahadut Hatorah MK Uri Maklev.

Once again, in City Hall the message is one of denial, emphasizing Mayor Barkat has not disqualified anyone as coalition talks continue.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)