Many are raising their eyebrows in disbelief, but believe it or not, Shas is running its own candidate in the Tel Aviv mayoral elections. Shas chairman, Minister Aryeh Deri announced the candidacy of Natan Elnatan as the party’s candidate in the municipal elections, running against the incumbent, Ron Huldai, who is seeking another term.

However, some opine that the move was done at the behest of Huldai, who fears the religious and traditional voters will vote for some of Huldai’s real competitors, threatening his chance of reelection. With a religious candidate in the race, those votes will go to him, not the competitors threatening the mayor’s victory, Kikar Shabbos News reports.

A senior Shas official is quoted anonymously, explaining the Huldai camp approached the party asking to permit Elnatan to compete in the race to take votes from Huldai’s competitors. The move was approved by Deri.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)