While Rabbi Shlomo Amar Shlita was hoping for an audience with the Belzer Rebbe Shlita ahead of the Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate elections, such a meeting is not going to be taking place. Some sources report that behind-the-scenes pressure applied by Degel Hatorah is the reason the rebbe declined a request by Rav Amar’s office for a meeting.

It appears that Degel Hatorah is pushing for Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu in the Jerusalem Chief Sephardi Rabbi race as Rav Eliyahu is supported by Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.

The rebbe’s support for a candidate represents two of the 48 members of the voting body. While the chareidim appear united behind Rabbi Eliyahu, they are divided on the Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi position; with Degel Hatorah leaning towards Rabbi Eliyahu Schlesinger Shlita while the chassidic faction, Agudas Yisrael, appears to be supporting Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lau Shlita.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)