Rabbonim are becoming involved in the controversial elections in Elad, including HaGaon HaRav Shimon Ba’adani, a member of Shas’ Moetzas Chachmei HaTorah, and HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Silman, of Bnei Brak.

There is an increasing connection between rabbonim of Shas and rabbonim of Degel Hatorah surrounding the mayoral race in Elad.

Kikar Shabbos News reported that a meeting was held on Tuesday, 22 Sivan in the Bnei Brak Beis Medrash of Rav Ba’adani, on Rabbi Akiva Street. It is explained further that Rav Silman has been appointed by the Degel Moetzas Gedolei Torah to make the decisions pertaining to the Elad elections. Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur also took part in the Bnei Brak meeting.

Shas and Degel both want a change, both not backing a reelection effort by the incumbent, Mayor Yisrael Porush. Rav Silman in recent days has been meeting with Shas representatives along with persons from Shlomei Emunim and Degel in an effort to hear the positions of all involved. Some spoke of Degel running independently with Shas support, while others spoke of Shas running against Porush.

Degel MKs Uri Maklev and Moshe Gafne are also involved, and they are interested in running their own candidate with Shas support, especially became they have an agreement with Shlomei Emunim that Porush would not run for a second term but a Degel candidate would run in this election. From Shas’ perspective, the party just wants to oust Porush, for the latter ran despite a request from Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L ZY”A not to. Rav Ovadia asked the Ashkenazim to “leave Elad alone as you have Modi’in Illit and Betar Illit”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)