Shas party Chairman Minister Aryeh Deri appears to be working with Yisrael Beitenu party chairman, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, to bring Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on board, to back Moshe Leon’s candidacy in the Jerusalem mayoral race.

Haaretz reports that a number of discussion were held between Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu regarding Elkin’s desire to become the Likud candidate in the Jerusalem race. According to the report, Elkin worked to flatter Mr. Netanyahu, citing his efficiency, his political skill, the many services he has given him in recent years, whether as coalition chairman or political observer, and of course as a minister or an interpreter in his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I need you in the government, next to me,” he told him, apparently referring to it. Elkin thanked Mr. Netanyahu, making it clear that Jerusalem was his passion. He is also “warned”, backed by polls predicting victory, and if he does not run, the city will fall in the hands of one of the two: City Council member Moshe Leon, a close associate of Avigdor Lieberman and Aryeh Deri, or UTJ deputy mayor Yossi Deutsch.

Prime Minister Netanyahu was expected to meet with Deputy Minister Yaakov Litzman on Monday afternoon, 14 Sivan, in an attempt to formulate his position on Elkin’s candidacy in Jerusalem, against the backdrop of recent rumors that Litzman is inclined to support Elkin as mayor of Jerusalem.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)