About four years ago, the chareidi city of Elad was in turmoil. A city with a mostly Sephardi population went to the polls and in the run-up to the mayoralty, Yisrael Porush fought against Tzuriel Krisfel. Shas was sure that the elections were in their hands, the main activists who led the campaign promised.

The city underwent an unprecedented jolt and controversy – even in Elad. Finally, on the 19th of Cheshvan, Porush was declared the mayor, albeit by a small margin, but nonetheless a majority and entered the mayor’s office.

A few days later, Porush succeeded – very slowly – in calming the mood in the city, bringing Shas into the coalition and appointing Krisfel as Deputy Mayor, and the city calmed down until new opponents, who usually complain against the mayor, arose.

However, since his election as mayor, Yisrael Porush had to make sure to position himself as “mayor of all the residents.” In recent months, he has visited [in the framework of his son’s bar mitzvah] the Sephardic Rabbonim, from the head of the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Torah HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita to the other rabbonim on the council.

So far, Porush has not announced whether he will run for another term. It also depends on Degel Hatorah, which under the internal agreement – the next mayor is supposed to be their candidate.

According to senior officials at the municipality, it appears finally that Degel will realize that the chances of winning with a Litvish candidate in a Sephardi city are not very high, and it is reasonable to assume that they will ask for another change for leaving the mayor by Shlomi Emunim.

In Shas circles however, if Degel goes with its own candidate, it is believed the Shas candidate will emerge the victor. If Porush seeks a second term however, it is likely that agreements will be signed ahead of time and Shas will back the incumbent rather than risk losing a second election.

One Shas official explained that in the last election, it was a matter of Sephardi kovod and HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, who was alive, backed Krisfel, who lost nevertheless. Today however, most feel a battle over the election with Porush a second time is not wise.

That said, there are Shas officials who remain adamant that a Sephardi candidate appear in the elections because “Elad is not any city, but representative of elections in chareidi cities and a loss is not just a loss, as we are compelled to emerge victorious with a Sephardi candidate”.

It is reported that Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri is yet to make up his mind. One must remember that there is significant opposition to Shas. Eli Yishai’s Yachad party received 2,094 seats in the last election. This made the difference.

Shlomei Emunim officials explain that they have clear agreements with Degel Hatorah which will be honored.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)