At present, there are only a few candidates viewed as serious contenders in the upcoming presidential race. One of the big issues for candidates is who will be the chareidi candidate.

While aides to President Shimon Peres say “it is not so,” the chareidim by and large are very disappointed with Mr. Peres, who they feel did not look out for the tzibur’s interests as promised.

If Minister Silvan Shalom announces that he is not going to run in the race, then Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky is likely to return to the race. MK Meir Sheetrit signals that he has plans to remain in the race until the end, but most feel his chances of being elected are nil.

The main candidates are viewed to be MK (Labor) Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and MK (Likud) Reuven Rivlin. Both are viewed as longtime friends of the chareidi tzibur. One of the upcoming events that might influence the chareidi vote is the draft bill but as it lands out, the Labor party is planning to oppose the bill. While the party’s opposition does not stem from its loyalty to chareidim, it plans to object to the bill because it feels the bill represents inequality. Whatever the reason, it appear that Ben-Eliezer will not be voting for it.

Rivlin is also not concerned for while Likud may compel coalition unity to vote for the bill, several months ago he committed to attend a dinner for the mosdos of HaRav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman out of Israel. Therefore, he will not vote for it for he will not be in the country.

While Rivlin’s deep Yerushalmi roots, traditional lifestyle, fluency in Yiddish and general connection with chareidim is a plus, Ben-Eliezer has always enjoyed a good relationship with chareidim. In addition, harsh fiscal policies of the current administration and Likud’s betrayal of the chareidi tzibur make a deal with Labor more palatable than with the Likud candidate.

Regarding Silvan Shalom, when Kol Berama analyst Avraham Rosen asked how he will vote on the draft bill, Silvan Shalom responded he is compelled to vote in line with coalition discipline.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)