As it appears today, the election for new chief rabbis of Yerushalayim will take place as scheduled, on Tuesday, 27 Tishrei. The Supreme Court suggested that a petition filed by the Eida Sephardi be withdrawn. That is the court’s polite way of saying “you do not have a chance so do not waste your time”.

In the midst of the proceeding Justices Yoram Danziger, Uri Shoham and Noam Solberg suggested the petitioners consider withdrawing the matter for the court does not see it as the correct venue. A five minute recess was called during which time the decision was made to withdraw the petition.

The petition explained the election process does not truly reflect the population of the capital and therefore the election process should be amended.

In a related matter, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council has been instructed by Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to convene to determine the eligibility of dati leumi candidate Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita. A Ynet report stated that Rabbi Stern does not meet eligibility requirements because he never received a written certificate of semichah. The Chief Rabbinate Council is expected to submit its recommendation by 18 Tishrei.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)