MK Moshe Gafne scored a victory in his ongoing battle against Modi’in Illit Mayor Yaakov Gutterman.

A beis din in Modi’in Illit selected by the parties ruled on Wednesday evening the eve of 2 Rosh Chodesh Tammuz that Gafne has the right to select a deputy mayor, not Gutterman. This internal battle in Degel Hatorah has been ongoing for some time as the two dispute who has the right to select the mayor’s assistant. Gafne tried to unseat Gutterman in the last election, announcing Maran HaGaon HaRav Sholom Elyashiv ZT”L never relied on him.

Despite the machlokes, Gutterman was unequivocal in his support for Yahadut Hatorah and instructed everyone to vote for the party, in line with instructions from Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.

In line with the psak, Gafne is responsible for deciding on the city’s paid deputy mayor and not Mayor Gutterman in light of the agreements reached between the different parties. The beis din added that promises made by Gutterman during elections are not valid and the decision as to who will serve in the slot will be made by Gafne in his capacity as party leader.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)